Macworld

Macworld What’s new on Apple TV? What are the best shows and movies? How do you sign up and what does it cost? This article will answer all of that, and you’ll also get a list of all the currently-available Apple TV content. There’s also a ton of new content in the works for Apple’s service, too. f you want to know what’s on the way, check out our list of upcoming Apple TV shows and movies. Updated February 27, 2026: The second season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is now streaming. Mentioned IN THIS story Apple TV 4K (2022, 3. Gen.) 128GB WiFi + Ethernet Read our review Latest Apple TV releases Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (season 2)Released: February 27, 2026 The Last Thing He Told Me (season 2)Released: February 20, 2026 EternityReleased: February 13, 2026 Shrinking (season 3)Released: January 28, 2026 Drops of God (season 2)Released: January 21, 2026 Hijack (season 2)Released: January 14, 2026 How to get Apple TV You can subscribe to Apple TV on Apple’s website here, or via the Apple TV app on your device. It costs $12.99/£9.99 a month, which you can cancel at any time (Read: How to cancel an Apple subscription). You can also opt for a one-year subscription for $99/£89, which essentially gives you two months free each year. Apple also offers various trials so that you can try out Apple TV before you subscribe. Take a look at our article explaining all the ways you can watch Apple TV for free, and the best Apple TV deals you can get. Students can get Apple TV for free with an already subsidized Apple Music subscription. Best shows on Apple TV There’s far too much content on Apple TV to sift through it all yourself. If you’re looking for something to watch and don’t know where to start, here are a few of the Macworld staff’s favorite shows, series, and movies. Bad Sisters Synopsis: A dark comedy about a group of Irish sisters who find themselves at the center of a life insurance investigation after John Paul–the abusive husband to one of the sisters–dies unexpectedly. Number of seasons: 2 Release date: August 19, 2022 Black Bird Synopsis: A gripping miniseries about a convicted con artist who works for the FBI to try to get a serial killer’s confession before he is released from prison. Based on the true story of James Keene and Larry Hall. Number of seasons: 1 Release date: July 8, 2022 For All Mankind Synopsis: What if the U.S.S.R. put a man on the moon before the U.S.? How would the ensuing space race change history throughout the decades? That’s the high concept behind this gripping big-budget sci-fi series. Number of seasons: 4 Release date: November 1, 2019 Pluribus Synopsis: A mysterious virus-like pathogen turns the entire human race into a peaceful hive-mind, except for a handful of individuals. Created by Vince Gilligan, of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fame. Number of seasons: 1 Release date: November 17, 2025 Severance Synopsis: A combination of dystopian sci-fi drama and workplace comedy about a company where employees are “severed”–when at work, they can’t remember their outside lives, and vice-versa. Number of seasons: 2 Release date: February 18, 2022 Shrinking Synopsis: A surprisingly quick-witted comedy about a therapist who has trouble dealing with the death of his wife and his eccentric patients. Number of seasons: 2 Release date: January 27, 2023 Slow Horses Synopsis: Gary Oldman turns in a great performance as the cranky leader of a band of misfit spies. Number of seasons: 5 Release date: April 1, 2022 Ted Lasso Synopsis: Apple’s fish-out-of-water comedy/drama about a midwestern college football coach who heads to England to coach Premier League soccer is a breakout hit for good reason. Number of seasons: 3 Release date: August 14, 2020 The Morning Show Synopsis: Big star power and a fantastic performance by Jenniffer Aniston highlight this fast-paced drama that goes behind the scenes of a fictional morning news program. Number of seasons: 4 Release date: November 1, 2019 Full list of Apple TV shows and series These are all the episodic series you can currently watch on Apple TV, including both recurring and limited series. This list is in alphabetical order. TitlePremiereSeasons / Episodes1971: The Year That Music Changed EverythingMay 21, 20218 episodesAcapulcoOctober 8, 20214 seasons, 40 episodesAmazing StoriesMarch 6, 20201 season, 5 episodesAmber BrownJuly 29, 20221 season, 10 episodesBad MonkeyAugust 14, 20241 season, 10 episodesBad SistersAugust 19, 20222 seasons, 20 episodesBE@RBRICKMarch 21, 20251 season, 13 episodesBecoming YouNovember 13, 20201 season, 6 episodesBeforeOctober 25, 202410 episodesBest Foot ForwardJuly 22, 20221 season, 10 episodesBig BeastsApril 21, 20231 season, 10 episodesBlack BirdJuly 8, 20226 episodesBoom! Boom! The World vs Boris BeckerApril 7, 20232 episodesBorn to be WildDecember 19, 20256 episodesCallsMarch 19, 20211 season, 9 episodesCamp SnoopyJune 14, 202410 episodesCarêmeApril 30, 20251 season, 8 episodesCarpool KaraokeAugust 8, 20175 seasons, 75 episodesCentral ParkMay 29, 20203 seasons, 39 episodesChief of WarAugust 1, 20259 episodesCircuit BreakersNovember 11, 20221 season, 7 episodesCity on FireMay 12, 20231 season, 8 episodesConstellationFebruary 21, 20241 season, 8 episodesCowboy CartelAugust 2, 20244 episodesCriminal RecordJanuary 10, 20241 season, 8 episodesCurses!October 27, 20232 seasons, 20 episodesDark MatterMay 8, 20241 season, 9 episodesDear EdwardFebruary 3, 20231 season, 10 episodesDear…June 5, 20202 seasons, 20 episodesDefending JacobApril 24, 20208 episodesDickinsonNovember 1, 20193 seasons, 30 episodesDisclaimerOctober 11, 20247 episodesDope ThiefMarch 14, 20258 episodesDoug UnplugsNovember 13, 20202 seasons, 26 episodesDown Cemetery RoadOctober 29, 20251 season, 8 episodesDr. BrainNovember 3, 20211 season, 6 episodesDrops of GodApril 21, 20232 seasons, 16 episodesDuck & GooseJuly 8, 20222 seasons, 17 episodesEarth at Night in ColorDecember 4, 20202 seasons, 12 episodesEarthsoundsFebruary 23, 20241 season, 12 episodesEcho 3November 23, 20221 season, 10 episodesEl DeafoJanuary 7, 20223 episodesEva the OwletMarch 31, 20232 seasons, 17 episodesExtrapolationsMarch 17, 20231 season, 8 episodesFive Days at MemorialAugust 12, 20228 episodesFor All MankindNovember 1, 20194 seasons, 40 episodesFoundationSeptember 24, 20213 seasons, 30 episodesFraggle Rock: Back to the RockJanuary 21, 20222 seasons, 27 episodesFraggle Rock: Rock On!April 21, 20201 season, 6 episodesFrog and ToadApril 28, 20232 seasons, 18 episodesGet Rolling with OtisOctober 8, 20212 seasons, 18 episodesGhostwriterNovember 1, 20193 seasons, 39 episodesGovernment CheeseApril 16, 20251 season, 10 episodesGreatness CodeJuly 10, 20202 seasons, 13 episodesGutsySeptember 9, 20221 season, 8 episodesHarriet the SpyNovember 19, 20212 seasons, 20 episodesHello Tomorrow!February 17, 20231 season, 10 episodesHello, Jack! The Kindness ShowNovember 5, 20212 seasons, 16 episodesHelpstersNovember 1, 20193 seasons, 40 episodesHelpsters Help YouApril 24, 20206 episodesHigh DesertMay 17, 20231 season, 8 episodesHijackJune 28, 20232 seasons, 15 episodesHollywood Con QueenMay 8, 20243 episodesHomeApril 17, 20202 seasons, 19 episodesHome Before DarkApril 3, 20202 seasons, 20 episodesInterrupting ChickenNovember 18, 20222 seasons, 17 episodesInvasionOctober 22, 20213 seasons, 30 episodesJaneApril 14, 20233 seasons, 20 episodesJohn Lennon: Murder Without A TrialDecember 6, 20233 episodesKnife Edge: Chasing Michelin StarsOctober 10, 20258 episodesK-Pop IdolsAugust 30, 20246 episodesKPoppedAugust 29, 20251 season, 8 episodesLa MaisonSeptember 20, 20241 season, 10 episodesLady in the LakeJuly 19, 20247 episodesLand of WomenJune 26, 20241 season, 6 episodesLessons in ChemistryOctober 13, 20238 episodesLiaisonFebruary 24, 20231 season, 6 episodesLife by EllaSeptember 2, 20221 season, 10 episodesLincoln’s DilemmaFebruary 18, 20224 episodesLisey’s StoryJune 4, 20218 episodesLittle AmericaJanuary 17, 20202 seasons, 16 episodesLittle VoiceJuly 10, 20201 season, 9 episodesLong Way UpSeptember 18, 202011 episodesLong Way HomeMay 9, 202510 episodesLootJune 24, 20223 seasons, 30 episodesLosing AliceJanuary 22, 20211 season, 8 episodesLove You to DeathFebruary 7, 20251 season, 7 episodesLovely Little FarmJune 10, 20222 seasons, 14 episodesMake or BreakApril 29, 20222 seasons, 15 episodesManhuntMarch 15, 20247 episodesMasters of the AirJanuary 26, 20249 episodesMeJuly 12, 20241 seasons, 10 episodesMessi Meets AmericaOctober 11, 20236 episodesMessi’s World Cup: Rise of a LegendFebruary 21, 20244 episodesMidnight FamilySeptember 25, 20241 season, 10 episodesMonarch: Legacy of MonstersNovember 17, 20232 season, 20 episodesMonster FactoryMarch 17, 20236 episodesMr. CormanAugust 6, 20211 season, 10 episodesMr. ScorseseOctober 17, 20255 episodesMurderbotMay 16, 20251 season, 10 episodesMy Kind of CountryMarch 24, 20231 season, 8 episodesMythic QuestFebruary 7, 20204 seasons, 40 episodesNot a BoxJune 13, 20251 season, 8 episodesNow and ThenMay 20, 20221 season, 8 episodesOmnivoreJuly 19, 20241 season, 8 episodesOne-of-a-Kind MarcieAugust 18, 202339 min.Onside: Major League SoccerFebruary 21, 20258 episodesOprah Talks COVID-19March 21, 20201 season, 13 episodesOprah’s Book ClubNovember 1, 20191 season, 14 episodesPachinkoMarch 25, 20222 seasons, 16 episodesPalm RoyaleMarch 20, 20242 seasons, 20 episodesPhysicalJune 18, 20213 seasons, 30 episodesPinecone & PonyApril 8, 20222 seasons, 16 episodesPlatonicMay 24, 20232 seaso

Macworld Apple may be preparing its biggest MacBook shake-up in years. Back in June 2025, credible analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple intends to launch a new low-cost MacBook which will compete with Chromebooks and Windows laptops in the budget market. The company is now reportedly planning on releasing this new, budget MacBook – bringing the Mac to a whole new class of users. The release date for this new MacBook could be as soon as next week, with Apple teasing that week commencing March 2 will be a “big week ahead” and with a “Special Apple Experience” scheduled for March 4 in New York, London and Shanghai. The new MacBook may feature an aluminum design in playful colors, an A18 Pro or A19 Pro chip, Ultra Retina XDR OLED display, fewer ports, and Apple’s C2 modem. However, to keep the cost low cutbacks are rumored, such as simpler audio hardware, basic display sensors, and slower charging, but these shouldn’t undermine essential performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media streaming. This new, low-cost MacBook could be a very popular one, which means you’ll want to keep track of its developments. Well, look no further. This article will keep track of the rumors and reports of this upcoming product, as well as offer our perspective on the device, so keep an eye on this page for the latest. New A18 Pro MacBook: Release date March 2, 2026 – This could be the first of the new products landing in w/c March 2. Apple is scheduled to host three “Apple Special Experiences” on March 4 in the U.S., U.K., and China. These sessions, which are expected to offer media hands-on time with new products, could provide the ideal setting for the budget MacBook’s debut. But the new MacBook could arrive even sooner than March 4. Apple has teased that the first week of March will be a “big week ahead” with an image that looks like the top of a MacBook. This could suggest that MacBook updates will be up first, including the MacBook Air M5, MacBook Pro M5 Pro/M5 Max) and this brand new low-cost MacBook. Apple’s low-cost MacBook has been rumored for some time, with Apple leaker Jon Prosser describing a new colorful MacBook Air back in May 2021. That never materialised, but over the past year rumors have remerged suggesting that Apple does have something different coming. In June 2025, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, indicated (in Chinese) that Apple would start production of a new low-cost MacBook at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025 or in the early stage of the first quarter of 2026. It’s worth emphasising that those dates refer to the manufacturing process rather than the announcement or shipping timeframe. If production began in October 2025 then it’s plausible that the budget MacBook will arrive in early 2026, potentially unveiled at a spring event, or in the run up to Apple’s March 4 ‘Experience’. In November, 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple is planning to release a “low-cost laptop to rival Chromebooks and Windows PCs” in the first half of 2026. He said it was currently in testing at Apple and “in early production with overseas suppliers.” On February 8, 2026, Gurman reported that the low-cost MacBook will be available “in the first half of the year.” He did not offer any specifics. And then, on February 15, he wrote that Apple’s long-rumored low-cost MacBook is expected to arrive “as early as March,” with a design that defies its price tag.  What will the new MacBook be called? MacBook (probably) No reports have been made about the official name of the laptop, but you can assume it won’t be part of the MacBook Air line. It’s being referred to as the A18 or A19 Pro MacBook, based on the chip it could have. Apple could simply call it “MacBook,” reviving the name of the discontinued 12-inch MacBook that was targeted at a similar market. Apple last updated the MacBook in 2017.Foundry New A18 Pro MacBook: Design Playful colors Aluminum chassis (not plastic) According to Mark Gurman (in February 2026), Apple’s low-cost MacBook will have a design that defies its price tag.  Apple’s goal with this laptop is to make it affordable compared to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and one way to cut costs is to make a plastic case instead of an aluminum one. However, since Apple is working to make its products carbon-neutral, it’s doubtful that it would use plastic, preferring to use aluminum or some other recyclable or carbon-free material. Therefore, it is no surprise that the new MacBook, according to Gurman, will have an aluminum chassis. There will be a new manufacturing process “designed to be both faster and more cost-effective than the one used with Apple’s current laptops,” according to Gurman. Along with the aluminum shell, Gurman reports that the new MacBook will be available in “playful colors.” The following colours are indicated: yellow, light green, blue, silver, dark gray, and pink. Which, in the case of yellow, green and blue, does seem to match the logo Apple designed for the invites to the special events on March 4. Apple Back in June 2023 analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested the following colors: silver, blue, pink, and yellow. Another design difference – leaked files seen by Macworld indicate that the new MacBook might not have a backlit keyboard. A18 Pro MacBook: Display 12.9-inch display – rumored On August 11, DigiTimes reported that the laptop will have a 12.9-inch display, slightly smaller than the 13-inch MacBook Air. Apple currently uses a Liquid Retina (LED-backlit display with IPS technology) display in the MacBook Air, an upgrade over the original Retina displays Apple last used with the 13-inch MacBook Pro in 2022. It’s possible Apple could revert to a Retina display with squared-off corners for the A18 Pro MacBook, though it’s more likely that Apple shaves cost by using a smaller display. Another way that Apple will reduce the cost of materials is by not including the True Tone sensor that adjusts color temperature based on ambient light. Leaked files suggest that instead Apple will use a more basic panel. New A18 Pro MacBook: Processor iPhone chip: A18 Pro or A19 Pro Another way to meet the pricing goals for this new MacBook is to use a chip that isn’t as robust as the chips used in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. When Kuo first discussed the budget MacBook in his June 2025 report, he stated that Apple will use an A18 Pro, the same chip that was in the iPhone 16 Pro. Now that the A19 arrived with the iPhone 17 it is possible that Apple will use this chip. Read more about what the iPhone 17 can tell us about the MacBook that could use the same chip in: Is Apple’s rumored cheap MacBook hiding in plain sight? The A-series chips are used in iPhones, while M-series chips are in Macs. Both chip families are based on the same general architecture, but the M chips generally offer more processing power. An A19 Pro and A18 Pro can technically do everything an M-series chip can, but it will be slower. When comparing Geekbench 6 benchmarks, the A18 Pro offered single-core performance that’s on par with the M3. However, because the A18 Pro has only 6 CPU cores, its multi-core performance is slightly behind the M1, which has 8 CPU cores. If Apple keeps everything the same, an A18 Pro MacBook will perform like an M1 MacBook Air, which, for a lot of people, has more than enough processing power. Should Apple use an A19 Pro we can expect something even better. It will draw comparison with the iPad models that are powered by Mac chips, though. MacRumors reported, in December 2025, that references to an A18 Pro MacBook appeared in a set of leaked Apple files. New A18 Pro MacBook: Connectivity Apple is using its own wireless networking chip, the N1 in the iPhone 17, bringing Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, and Thread. It’s possible that the same chips will make their way into the A18 Pro MacBook. However the low-cost model may just use a Wi-Fi chip like the one in the A16 iPad (Wi-Fi 6). There’s also a chance this new Mac will have cellular connectivity using Apple’s C1, C1X or yet to launch C2 modem. The C2 is likely to support mmWave. Aside from this, it’s rumored that the budget MacBook will have fewer USB ports than the MacBook Air (which has two USB-C and a magsafe charging port). This low-cost MacBook may not support Thunderbolt. One thing the MacBook isn’t expected to support is high-impedance headphones because it appears to use the same cheaper audio DAC found in the older M1 MacBook Air. New A18 Pro MacBook: Battery & charging The new MacBook might not support faster charging that newer Macs have. In 2025 files seen by Macworld (an internal macOS kernel) indicated that the new MacBook would lack drivers for “high-voltage chargers” – meaning it could take longer to recharge. New A18 Pro MacBook: Camera No camera? It’s also possible that Apple opts not to include a built-in camera. Over the past several years, Apple has promoted the Mac’s Continuity Camera feature that lets you use an iPhone as a Mac webcam, as well as the upcoming macOS Tahoe Magnifier app. Apple could promote this as a webcam solution. This would be a drastic change, since it’s been a long time since Apple shipped a laptop without a camera, but it could be a possibility in order to meet the company’s price goal. New A18 Pro MacBook: Performance Results are expressed as Geekbench scores. Higher scores/longer bars are faster. The A18 Pro has 8GB of RAM, which Apple has said is the bare minimum required to run Apple Intelligence features. So, this new laptop will have at least 8GB of RAM and possibly 16GB, like the other MacBook models. Since the iPhone doesn’t offer RAM upgrades, we don’t know what App

Macworld The iPad Air will soon gain a new M4 chip and next-gen connectivity while retaining the familiar design that users love. This will be a performance-focused refresh rather than a redesign, offering a speed boost and smarter wireless tech. Here’s everything you need to know about the new iPad Air for 2026. 2026 iPad Air release date: Will Apple launch a new iPad Air soon? Apple has scheduled “Special Experiences” for March 4 – inviting journalists to venues in New York, London and Shanghai for some sort of hands-on briefing, rather than a live-streamed event. There are a number of new products expected to launch, including various iPads, MacBooks and the iPhone 17e. There are specific rumors and multiple leaks that indicate that the iPad Air will be one of the new products arriving in early-March. A March launch is also consistent with Apple’s usual iPad Air update timing (the current model arrived in March 2025). Apple could launch the new iPad Air before the March 4 event. The company has hinted that it will be a “big week ahead”. With the announcement expected week commending March 2, pre-orders could start on Friday 6 March and availability in mid-March. 2026 iPad Air performance: Will the 2026 iPad Air be faster? M4 chip Apple The main feature for the 2026 iPad Air will be a new processor. According to an internal Apple document, the M3 is expected to be replaced by an M4 chip. While we are familiar with the M4 chip, which has already featured in the 2024 iPad Pro, it’s not clear what the specification of the M4 in the iPad Air will be. The iPad Pro came with a 9-core or 10-core CPU, depending on the storage. We believe Apple will offer only the 9-core CPU with a 10-core GPU. As for what the M4 will bring to the iPad Air, the M4 is notably faster than prior Apple chips. For users that will mean snappier multitasking, quicker app launches, and smoother operation even under heavy load, compared to the previous generation. The M4 GPU is much improved on its predecessors, meaning even better graphics and rendering for games and creative apps. The 16-core Neural Engine in the M4 will benefit machine leaning tasks such as photo editing and enhancements and AI-driven features. The M4 is also designed to be more power-efficient than earlier chips, which should translate to better battery life. 2026 iPad Air specs: How the N1 and C1X could benefit the iPad Air N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 C1X 5G modem 8GB RAM as before With the iPhone 17, Apple included a new Apple-made wireless networking chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Thread networking technology (used to control smart-home devices). This N1 chip is expected to appear in the iPad Air. It will bring support for Wi-Fi 7 and its higher peak speeds, lower latency, and quicker downloads and uploads. It will also add support for Bluetooth 6, with benefits including more reliable connections in crowded locations, lower latency, and more efficient power use. Another benefit of the N1 is that AirDrop and Personal Hotspot reliability should also be improved. The iPhone Air’s C1X 5G modem is expected to be used in cellular models of the iPad Air. The benefits there revolve around cellular connectivity, including: faster 5G performance, better power efficiency (Apple says it uses 30% less energy), and improved battery life. The 2025 iPad Air had 8GB of RAM, the minimum required to run Apple Intelligence. We expect the new iPad Air will also have 8GB of RAM standard. 2026 iPad Air design and display: Will Apple redesign the iPad Air? 11-inch and 13-inch Liquid Retina displays as before Similar dimensions and thinness Britta O’Boyle Apple offers the iPad Air in 11- and 13-inch models, and the new iPad Air is expected to have the same design and screen options. What might change is the colors; Apple currently offers the M3 iPad Air in four colors (Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray), the same options as the M2 model. Apple often changes the colors when introducing a new generation, so it would be unusual to have the same options for three generations. The iPad Air has used the same LED backlit Liquid Retina display for several generations, and we expect it to continue with the M4 update. Apple’s more expensive iPad Pro uses tandem OLED panels and there are rumors that OLED may be coming to other iPads, possibly the iPad mini first, but we don’t expect that technology to come to the M5 iPad Air. 2026 iPad Air cameras: Are the cameras changing? 12MP rear camera 12MP Center Stage front camera Eugen Wegmann Apple doesn’t upgrade its iPad cameras annually like the iPhone. The iPad Air has had the same two cameras since the M1: a 12MP front camera with Center Stage and a 12MP rear wide-angle camera. It’s unlikely the hardware will change, although Apple could introduce new software features. 2026 iPad Air price: Will the iPad Air cost more in 2026? Tariffs, rising RAM prices, and other supply-chain cost increases could drive prices up this year. Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the Q1 2026 financial results earnings call that the company is in “supply chase mode” and facing industry-wide constraints for components. However, any price increase would likely affect the higher-end configurations, and we expect the M4 iPad Air to continue to start at $599 for the 11-inch model. The price of the M3 iPad Air in the U.S. and U.K. are below. iPad Air, M3U.S. priceU.K. price11-inch 128 GB$599£599256 GB$699£699512 GB$899£8991 TB$1,099£1,09913-inch 128 GB$799£799256 GB$899£899512 GB$1,099£1,0991 TB$1,299£1,299

Macworld If you’re in the market for a new tablet, you can’t go wrong with the iPad Air. It’s got a 13-inch display, gorgeous design, excellent battery life, 5G, and a speed M3 processor—and today you can get one for $250 off at Amazon. That brings the price all the way down to $1,000, within a few dollars of its brief Black Friday blowout deal. While we do appreciate all Apple tablets, we can’t help but absolutely love this one. When we reviewed it, we gave this iPad Air a 4-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, appreciating its outstanding performance, the good display, and the great battery life. Powered by the M3 chip, this tablet delivers great power for creative projects, all the apps you need to juggle, and the games you need to play. The 13-inch Liquid Retina display looks absolutely gorgeous in all lighting situations, so you shouldn’t be worried about whether you’ll see anything when you’re using it outdoors in the summer. The 512GB of storage space will definitely make it possible to store quite a few apps and pics, and you can add a Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro ($35 off) to fully deck it out. There’s a new model on the way, but we don’t expect it to be much different other than a new chip. So don’t waste any time and get the 13-inch M3 iPad Air for $1,000 while this deal’s still live at Amazon. Buy now at Amazon

Macworld It’s common knowledge that the smartphone market is not in a good place right now. But new research has revealed the unprecedented severity of the problem, the likely timeframe before things get better, and the one company that’s best placed to survive the ordeal. Spoiler: it’s Apple. According to analysts at IDC (via Bloomberg), the global memory shortage will cause the smartphone market to shrink by 12.9% in 2026. That’s a shortfall of roughly 160 million units that were sold last year and won’t be sold this year, a situation the research firm characterised as “a crisis like no other.” And most of the impact will be felt by companies making cheap Android handsets. The problem is related to AI, which is sucking up resources that would otherwise be available for phone manufacturers and causing prices for memory to spike. Budget phones have very slim profit margins, so their makers are unable to absorb the cost increases; instead they have to compromise on component choices or put up their prices. And the market is so competitive, and price such a high priority for customers in that space, that this inevitably results in lower sales. “The tariffs and pandemic crisis seem a joke compared to this,” said Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC. “The smartphone market will witness a seismic shift by the time this crisis is over, in size, average selling prices and competitive landscape.” Popal added that the situation is unlikely to improve until mid-2027, at the earliest. And even then, things won’t go back to the way they were. “The days of cheap smartphones are gone, as even when the crisis is over, we don’t expect memory prices to go back down to 2025 levels,” she explained. It’s fortunate for Apple, then, that it got out of the budget smartphone market at what increasingly looks to have been the perfect time. Until last spring, the company sold a single cheap phone, the $429 iPhone SE, alongside its premium iPhone 16, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max models. But it replaced this with the $599 iPhone 16e and has never looked back. (In terms of intent, at least. It’s debatable whether the 16e has matched the popularity of the SE handsets.) In a matter of days, we expect the company to launch the iPhone 17e at a similar price point. Apple and its iPhone range, which ranges from the mid-market to the premium end (and with the launch of the iPhone Fold, is expected to enter the extreme premium market) is therefore better placed than most to weather the storm. But it isn’t immune, as the company itself has acknowledged. In its most recent earnings report, Tim Cook said RAM price increases did not affect Apple in Q1 2026, but admitted the company is now “in a supply chase mode,” and experiencing supply constraints like the rest of the industry.

Macworld It’s no secret that Apple is working on a new generation of its Studio Display with ProMotion and HDR, but it may not be just one model. After taking a deeper look at internal Apple files, Macworld has found evidence that suggests there are actually two separate models in development. Last year, we reported that code in a pre-release build of iOS 26 referenced a new external display identified as “J527,” a codename previously linked to a second-generation Studio Display. That same code pointed to major upgrades such as 120Hz ProMotion and HDR support. Earlier this month, also spotted references to a second model, J427, in the macOS 26.3 code, but it was unclear what the differences were. Now, a fresh analysis of related system files reveals the two models are indeed separate displays with distinctly different features. A split strategy for Studio Display 2 The existence of both J427 and J527 in Apple’s internal files strongly suggests that the next Studio Display may come in two configurations. While both appear to share the same core display capabilities, there are some interesting differences referenced in the firmware. Specifically, each monitor has different audio drivers, implying that the speakers are different. The exact differences are unclear, but Apple may have decided to include better speakers in a higher-end version of its monitor. The current Studio Display includes a high-fidelity six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers and support for spatial audio, the same found in the MacBook Pro, but a high-end system could support audio closer to HomePod. The next Studio Display could get an audio upgrade.Foundry Another difference we noticed is that the J527 version supports more I/O controllers than the J427. The current Studio Display has three USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 ports and one Thunderbolt 3 port. Presumably, the higher-end Studio Display will have more advanced ports, while the base model will keep the current ones. Interestingly, the J427 version of the monitor is internally labeled as a “2025” product, while J527 is a “2026” product. Perhaps Apple originally planned to introduce these monitors separately, or the higher-end version of the Studio Display may still arrive at a later date. The higher-end features would likely be part of a model with a larger screen as well. It would be odd to sell two 27-inch displays with slightly different speakers and ports, but a 32-inch model that also has upgraded audio and expansion makes more sense An announcement could be right around the corner Apple has teased a week of special announcements, starting on Monday. Rumors strongly suggest that a new low-end MacBook will be the centerpiece of this announcement, along with the M4 iPad Air, M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros, and the iPhone 17e. But there has been persistent evidence that new desktop Macs and displays are coming soon as well, so it’s possible the new Studio Displays arrive sooner than later.

Macworld Next week, Apple is expected to release a new laptop, one that will be the lowest-priced MacBook in the company’s lineup. It’s new territory for Apple, and a new choice that fills a need amongst Apple customers. Because of that, anticipation has built up for this new product. Maybe you want to buy one, maybe you don’t, but you at least want to see what Apple is going to do. That anticipation has spilled over into Macworld’s inboxes and social media comments sections. We’ve been reading your messages, and we’re sharing a few of them here. What to call it: iBook? MacBook SE? A podcast short about the name of the upcoming laptop struck a chord. One idea for the name in particular: iBook resurgence 🤔 Colors and Numbers on TikTok Many others across social media are hoping for an iBook resurgence, but it seems as though Apple has left behind the “i” naming system. Apple’s not one for nostalgia, but you never know. I bet it’s MacBook SE bleepblorp7676 on TikTok Maybe? I mean, there’s the Apple Watch SE, but with the iPhone, Apple dumped “SE” in favor of “[model number]e”, so I don’t know what to think. It’s going to be MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro… NIckname on TikTok That makes the most sense; after all, Apple used to have a “MacBook” that sort of fits the profile of the new product that’s coming. But it just feels so anticlimactic. @macworld.com What to call the cheap Apple laptop #macbook ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld Will it be powerful enough? Reports say that this laptop will use a A18 Pro or A19 chip, the same chips used in iPhones. So, should its processing capability as a Mac be a concern? The target market for this less expensive (not “cheap”) MacBook won’t care or likely even know that it runs on the same CPU as an iPhone… Mitch Stone via Facebook It is an iPhone with a bigger screen. neillwd on YouTube That’s a bad thing? How cheap is ‘cheap’? This laptop is expected to be affordable. But as Apple users know, the company’s idea of “affordable” is often different from ours. I do wish people would stop looking at £700 as cheap, it’s probably going to be a very good computer for the masses.  Kennth Swift on Facebook For the sake of clarification, when we talk about “cheap,” we’re talking about price. We’re not talking about “cheap” as a way of saying “poorly made,” as it is often used. That being said, is $699/£699 (rounded to $700/£700) cheap? In a general sense, I don’t think so, but in the perspective of Apple’s laptop lineup, it is. If $699 I’ll be buying one for my wife in yellow OldSchoolM on TikTok It needs to be $599. Period. iHusk on YouTube Now you’re talkin’ iHusk. But will Apple do that? It feels unbelievable. I want to be wrong on this. Which leads us to… Expect the unexpected I really wonder if this MacBook will run iPadOS instead of MacOS. sactoman0314 on TikTok …Apple should simply make macOS available on the iPad. They could even charge for the license or allow customers to choose between macOS and another operating system when purchasing the device. Doug M. via email I can see why y’all would think that. These prices are in iPad territory. But I think Apple is confident that one won’t cannibalize the other, and I tend to agree. They’re different use cases. I’ve been hearing this prediction since the Mac mini first came out decades ago. quinnretro on TikTok If you say it enough times, it’ll eventually become true. And finally… Apple sure has got a lot of free publicity on their future new MacBooks by teasing all you predictionist journalists for so long.  Neil via email Ouch. The truth hurts, Neil.

Macworld Next week is going to be a big one for Apple. Along with a new iPhone and iPads, Apple is rumored to launch its most anticipated Mac release since Apple silicon’s debut. According to reports, Apple is going to release a new entry in the MacBook lineup, a budget laptop that can compete with Chromebooks and cheap Windows laptops. A laptop that Apple hopes will grow the Mac installed base. A laptop for customers priced out of the Mac market. That’s great, especially since it’s something customers have been wanting for a long time. But there’s another reason why I’m excited about this new laptop: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that this laptop will be available in “playful colors,” with yellow, green, blue, and pink among the possibilities. Yes, that’s what I’m most excited about. A palette of color options means more than a wider array of choices. It signals that Apple is bringing a little fun back to its laptop lineup, an aspect that’s been missing for way too long. Orange enabler Until recently, I played it as safe as Apple with my own color choices–black, silver, gray, anything neutral. Then, two years ago, I decided to get out of my comfort zone and buy an orange car. Not only do I not regret it, but I also love it. I can remember being at a stoplight once, surrounded by four black and gray Teslas (which are everywhere in San Francisco). Suddenly, Elle Woods and I had something in common. Elle Woods and her orange iBook in Legally Blonde.MGM Then last fall, I got a Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max–without that car, and how it changed my perspective, I don’t think I would’ve picked it. For a while, I appreciated the back of the phone almost as much as its screen. The color just made me smile. That’s the aspect of Apple’s laptops that has been missing for a while. They’re marvels of design, and they’re quite dignified, but “fun” doesn’t come to mind. Not like when you look at an iBook. Those were fun. The six colors spirit I haven’t forgotten about the iMac and its playful color palette, but it’s a desktop computer. I’m not toting an iMac around with me (that’s not my thing), I’m carrying a Space Black MacBook Pro. And as I sit in my local coffee shop writing this article, I count 13 laptops in use, all of them gray, silver, or black. As iconic as the MacBook Pro is, most laptops have copied its style. There seems to be an opportunity here to stand out, to think different. The deepest Apple has dipped into the fun side of the pool is with the MacBook Air’s Starlight and Sky Blue options. I tested the Sky Blue MacBook Air, and it looks nice, but it and Starlight are subtle takes at fun, more variations of gold and silver than actual colors. They’re not bold like Cosmic Orange or the iBook’s lime green and tangerine. Many theorize that the logo Apple used to promote its March 4 media event is a hint at the colors of the new laptop. I certainly hope that’s the case. The recent Apple logo used to promote next week’s release reminded me of the old days.Apple Speaking of that logo, it reminds me of the original Apple logo, often referred to as the “six colors” logo. Longtime Apple customers think that logo is indicative of a different era for Apple, a time when the company had a more down-to-earth, unique, and playful aura. Now Apple is one of the most powerful and richest companies in the world–it’s a monolith, and so the logo it uses on its products is reflective of that. A lot of users long for those good ol’ days, but the truth of the matter is that that kind of thinking is as dated as the six colors logo. Apple can still do fun, it just needs a modern interpretation. We don’t need a carry handle (which was kinda dumb on the iBook, anyway), nor do we need a clamshell design. Playful colors are the way to go. Superficial choice You might be thinking, “Colors? Really, Roman? You forced me to read your superficial reasoning to buy this underpowered laptop?” Well, here’s another, more practical reason why I want this laptop. There are times when I need to bring my laptop with me, but I would rather it not be an expensive MacBook Pro. For instance, when I travel, I bring a 15-year-old MacBook Pro (with a built-in disc burner), and I use it during down times to manage all the trip photos and videos I take. If it breaks, gets stolen, or gets lost, it’s not as devastating a loss as if it were the MacBook Pro. I’ll be happy to replace that old MacBook with Apple’s new budget laptop. It’ll be more powerful than that laptop’s Intel Core i7 Sandy Bridge CPU. And saying the budget laptop will be underpowered is a bit much. If Apple uses an A18 Pro or an A19, we’re talking about M1-like performance, which is good for general productivity and internet access, as well as the basic media management I like to do on vacation. This budget laptop is going to be able to do a lot. Practical and fun? Count me in.

Macworld In recent years, Apple has increasingly reserved its media events for major announcements, such as flagship iPhone launches. Iterative product updates with chip bumps now often get the “silent press release” treatment, as the advancements are too insignificant to warrant hour-long keynotes. On March 4, Apple is hosting what it’s calling an “experience” for select members of the media. It’s neither a full-scale keynote nor a mere press release drop. During that week, the company is expected to unveil at least five new products, including a cheaper MacBook, the iPhone 17e, boosted iPads and Macs, and maybe more. While the rumors have given us a solid idea of what to expect from each device, a few key questions remain unanswered. 1. Will the iPhone 17e still have a notch? A year ago, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, retiring its SE smartphone branding. The rebrand came with some pretty exciting changes, including a superior camera, display, and overall design—plus a not-so-exciting price hike. In a few days, Apple will reportedly launch the iPhone 17e, featuring the A19 and MagSafe compatibility. But what about the notch? Some rumors have suggested that the iPhone 16e’s successor will drop the notch in favor of the more futuristic Dynamic Island. Other relevant leakers have contradicted this claim, stating that the notch is here to stay. Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell for sure which route Apple will take. Apple On one hand, the iPhone SE notoriously maintained its prehistoric look for many years, so redesigning the second-gen “e” iPhone sounds unlikely. On the other hand, the “e” iPhone, despite costing more, offers fewer features than certain budget smartphones, so Apple may want to make it more enticing by adopting the Dynamic Island. Both options sound plausible. 2. Will Apple tease any unreleased AI features? During WWDC24, Apple previewed Siri 2.0, featuring on-screen content awareness and personal context understanding. The company failed to meet its original deadline, and, eons later, the tools are still nowhere to be found. While we recently expected them to debut with iOS 26.4, the upgraded Apple Intelligence features may have been delayed, yet again, till a future OS release. Apple Certain reports now suggest that Apple will launch the new AI features as part of iOS 26.5. If true, it would be safe to assume that the engineers currently have working test software. In this case, will Apple tease these AI features during the March 4 experience to reassure its users and shareholders, or has it learned from its previous mistake not to make promises about unfinished technology? We’ll find out soon. 3. How cheap will the new MacBook be? The low-cost MacBook will likely be the March 4 experience’s headlining release. According to credible leakers, Apple plans to compete with Chromebooks and other budget-friendly laptops by offering a comparable MacBook model. The notebook will possibly feature the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro processor in a vibrant 12.9-inch chassis. This would make it ideal for customers who don’t have the budget for a $999 MacBook Air or need the power of an M-series chip. But how “cheap” will it actually be? While some reports suggest that the new MacBook will start at $599, others indicate that it could fall in the $699-799 range. For reference, the Google Store sells Acer Chromebooks that cost as little as $179, with mid-range models costing around $300-600, and higher-end editions going for no more than $800. Taking this into consideration, it would make more sense for Apple to target the mid-range Chromebooks with a $599 price tag. This would lure students and young adults, potentially winning them as lifelong customers through the ecosystem lock-in. But Apple pricing doesn’t always make sense—ahem, iPhone 16e—so a higher price of $799 wouldn’t exactly surprise us. 4. What M5 chip variants will we get? Beyond the affordable MacBook, Apple could announce new M5 MacBook Pro and Mac Studio models within the next week. The MacBook Pro will likely get M5 Pro and M5 Max configurations, following last year’s vanilla M5 debut. Will customers get to configure the CPU and GPU? Certain reports, along with the online Apple Store’s updated Mac purchasing flow, suggest that users will finally get to pick the number of CPU and GPU cores separately. Meanwhile, Apple has a long history of limiting the variety of SKUs and maintaining a simple product approach. As such, we can’t really tell. In the Mac Studio department, it remains unclear if Apple will release an M5 Ultra edition. The current Mac Studio comes in M4 Max and M3 Ultra variants, and Apple has stated that not every M-series chip will get an Ultra tier. So, Apple could offer the M5 Max as an option, along with either the unreleased M4 Ultra or all-new M5 Ultra. We’ll have to wait and see. Apple 5. Will Apple raise prices? The surge in demand for AI slop generation has led to a RAM shortage and subsequent price increases. Does this mean Apple will also start charging more for its products? Well, it’s hard to predict. CEO Tim Cook recently stated that the RAM crisis won’t significantly hurt Apple in the second quarter of the year, but he didn’t rule out a price hike, either. 6. What’s the second Studio Display tier all about? Apple first launched the Studio Display four years ago, and a refresh is overdue. While we’ve long expected the company to release a Studio Display 2 in the near future, macOS code reveals that there will actually be two new Studio Displays, not one. At least one of them is rumored to adopt support for HDR content and a 120Hz refresh rate. Will the second model miss out on these premium perks and cost way less, or will it differ in size to cater to more customers? We’ll get some answers soon. Apple

Macworld TL;DR: For just $34.99, this mini adapter converts wired CarPlay or Android Auto into fast, reliable wireless—no apps, no cables, no headaches. If your car already has factory-wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you’re halfway there. The only thing holding you back? That charging cable you plug in every single time you get in the car. This Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter upgrades your existing system into a fully wireless setup for just $34.99 (MSRP $59.99). No stereo swap. No complicated install. Just plug it in once, pair via Bluetooth, and you’re done. After that, it reconnects automatically within three seconds every time you start the car. Thanks to dual-band 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz chips, you get fast, stable performance that feels OEM-level. Navigation, music streaming, calls, messaging, Siri, Google Assistant—it all works exactly as it should. Even better, it supports your factory touchscreen, steering wheel buttons, and voice commands. It’s over 50% smaller than standard adapters, designed to sit flush and stay out of sight. Compatible with 1,000+ vehicle models, iPhone 6+ and Android 11+, it’s built to handle heat, surges, and real-world driving conditions. This may be the easiest way to modernize your ride without touching your dashboard. Pick up the Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter for $34.99 (MSRP $59.99). Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto AdapterSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld TL;DR: Get 14 Mac productivity apps plus lifetime access to 1,000+ StackSkills courses for just $69.99 (MSRP $1,069.87). Most bundles sound impressive but end up collecting digital dust. The Mac Magic App Bundle with StackSkills Lifetime is different. For $69.99 (MSRP: $1,069.87), you’re getting 14 practical Mac apps, plus lifetime access to over 1,000 online courses. Let’s start with the apps. This bundle covers the everyday stuff that slows you down: batch renaming files (Mass Rename), organizing folders (Folder Organizer), exporting file lists, tracking receipts (ReceiptBox), converting audio, managing playlists, exporting podcasts, and even controlling smart home devices like Philips Hue, LIFX, and WeMo — directly from your Mac. There’s also Text Workflow, a text expander alternative that helps you cut repetitive typing and save time daily. Then there’s the StackSkills lifetime pass. You get unlimited access to 1,000+ courses in IT, development, business, marketing, finance, graphic design, wellness, and more — with new courses added monthly. It’s structured for real-world skill building, whether you’re leveling up at work or exploring a side hustle. It’s a productivity boost for your Mac and a long-term investment in your skills — without recurring fees. Get this Mac Magic App Bundle with StackSkills for $69.99 (MSRP: $1,069.87). Mac Magic App Bundle with StackSkills LifetimeSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld Apple will make a special announcement next week, and rumors strongly suggest that we will see a new low-end MacBook that will sit below the MacBook Air. While it’s already taken for granted that this new MacBook will have the A18 Pro iPhone chip inside, there are questions about what else Apple will cut to make this laptop more affordable. Thanks to inside information from Apple, we may now have a clue as to what customers will be missing out on if they choose the new low-end MacBook. A closer look at what’s missing Based on internal files accidentally leaked by Apple last year, which were seen by Macworld, there are some key features that may be left out of the new MacBook. These files came from an internal macOS kernel and include drivers and hardware specifications for unreleased devices. For instance, the hardware spec sheet for the new low-end MacBook suggests it won’t support high-impedance headphones, as it uses the same audio DAC as the M1 MacBook Air. The low-cost MacBook appears to be using some internal parts last seen in the M1 MacBook Air.Foundry High-impedance headphones offer better sound quality and less distortion, which is ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Apple introduced support for this technology on Macs with the M2 chip and later, but apparently, the company decided to use a cheaper audio DAC for its cheaper MacBook. It also seems that this new MacBook will have a less premium display. The files make no mention of the driver required by the True Tone sensor, which adjusts the display temperature based on ambient light. Instead, this Mac relies on the old sensor that only adjusts the display brightness level based on ambient light. It was first introduced on the iPad in 2016 and has appeared on nearly every Apple display since. Another thing missing from the files for the new, cheaper MacBook is the “AppleHighVoltageCharger” driver, which essentially enables support for more powerful chargers for faster charging. This means that the low-end MacBook will likely take longer to recharge than the newer MacBooks. Fast charging support on Apple laptops also came with the M2 MacBooks, so that’s another similarity that the low-end MacBook will have with the M1 MacBook Air. When it comes to wireless connectivity, the new MacBook is expected to have the same Wi-Fi chip as the A16 iPad, which supports Wi-Fi 6, while the current M4 MacBook Air supports the faster Wi-Fi 6E standard. Customers can also expect standard USB-C rather than Thunderbolt. One last thing: the new MacBook might lack a backlit keyboard, one of the key features of all MacBooks for many years. While this may disappoint some users, it’s worth remembering that the old plastic MacBook didn’t have a backlit keyboard either, nor does the non-Pro Magic Keyboard for iPad. However, this Mac will likely keep Touch ID for easy and secure authentication. The cheap MacBook might not have a backlit keyboard.Foundry Bummer but not a dealbreaker Although the list of missing features may sound alarming, the reality is that most of these compromises are unlikely to be dealbreakers for the target audience. This isn’t a MacBook aimed at audio engineers with studio headphones or creative pros who rely on color-accurate displays and high-speed external storage. It’s designed for students, first-time Mac buyers, and everyday users who primarily browse the web, write documents, and stream media. For these users, this low-end MacBook will offer more than enough power to run everyday tasks, plus a high-resolution display, and wireless connectivity that’s still fast enough for browsing and streaming. For buyers who need those higher-end capabilities, the MacBook Air remains in the lineup. For everyone else, the new low-end MacBook could represent a more accessible entry into the Mac ecosystem.

Macworld Everything we know about the MacBook is about to change. There have been widespread rumors that Apple is about to shake up its laptop range in the most significant way since it introduced the failed 12-inch MacBook in 2015. And after many months of speculation, it now feels like a near-certainty that a budget MacBook powered by an iPhone chip will appear as part of Apple’s March 4 “experience” event. So far, almost all of the focus has been on this laptop itself, and understandably so—Apple has never released a sub-$1,000 MacBook, after all. But the impact of such a device won’t just be limited to the budget market. It will likely spur changes elsewhere in the MacBook lineup as well. Indeed, the new budget MacBook gives Apple the opportunity to rethink the MacBook Air and bring some much-needed upgrades to its mid-range MacBook options, creating space between it and the new budget model while also further distinguishing the Air and Pro lines. Gasping for Air For years, the MacBook Air has occupied the low-end slot among Apple’s portable Macs. It’s got the cheapest price, the lowest-end chips, and the least advanced display. For the majority of consumers, it’s more than enough, and it’s absolutely the best MacBook for most people. But the arrival of a cheaper MacBook will change that perception. Based on rumors, this new MacBook will have a significantly slower chip than the Air, but many of the same characteristics people want in a laptop: price, portability, and battery life. The Air has long checked all of those boxes, but now that something significantly cheaper will be available, Apple needs to reposition the Air as a mid-range device by addressing some of its shortcomings. The MacBook Air is a solid machine for $999, but it’s starting to feel stale.Foundry Primary among those quibbles is the display. Compare the Air’s 13-inch LED display to what you get with the MacBook Pro and the differences are stark. Even if you opt for the larger model, the MacBook Pro offers far superior resolution: 3024 by 1964 pixels in the 14-inch MacBook Pro versus 2560 by 1664 pixels in the 13-inch MacBook Air, or 254 pixels per inch (ppi) compared to 225 ppi. You also get much more in the way of brightness. While the MacBook Air is stuck at 500 nits in all situations, the MacBook Pro can ramp up to 1,000 nits outdoors and 1,600 nits for HDR content. That’s complemented by the Pro’s use of mini-LED technology, which provides much-improved colors and contrast. And finally, there’s the refresh rate. The MacBook Pro’s display is kitted out with Apple’s ProMotion feature, which dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz, depending on what’s on screen, resulting in much smoother motion during gaming, movie watching, and scrolling. Like the non-Pro iPads, the MacBook Air is locked to 60Hz. That all means that the MacBook Air is a categorically budget choice with a display that’s clearly inferior to the one you find in the MacBook Pro, but you get a concession in the form of the price. At $999 compared to the 14-inch MacBook Pro’s $1,599, the MacBook Air is much more affordable, and the tradeoffs are understandable. The M5 MacBook Pro could be redundant with the launch of the low-cost MacBook.Foundry A breath of fresh Air Once the new MacBook arrives, the MacBook Air will no longer be the budget laptop choice. It starts at $999, whereas the new MacBook is expected to cost somewhere around $699. With a price difference like that, the MacBook Air will suddenly become one of Apple’s mid-range Macs. Since Apple already differentiates its laptops with their screens, one way Apple could give the MacBook Air some mid-range attention is by upgrading the Air with ProMotion.That would make a significant difference in day-to-day usage, as higher refresh rates are instantly noticeable and give the Air a much-needed upgrade, not unlike how Apple handled the iPhone 17. And with the MacBook Pro already rumored to get an OLED Ultra Retina XDR display later this year, an Air with a ProMotion LED is an upgrade that steps up the MacBook Air without bringing it too close to the MacBook Pro. Apple’s new MacBook could impact the entire lineup.Eugen Wegmann This realignment of the MacBook lineup comes with another quandary: What should happen to the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro? Right now, this model features a similar M5 chip to the upcoming Air with a Pro display and a few more ports for $1,599, hundreds of dollars more than even the 15-inch Air. With the introduction of the new MacBook, Apple’s laptop roster will start looking a little bloated, especially if the Air gets ProMotion.  The entry-level Pro is already a cut-rate machine compared to its Pro- and Max-powered siblings, and the shift in the lineup will only highlight its flaws. And with the rumors of an OLED touchscreen coming later this year, it’s likely the model gets axed, leaving a much clearer lineup. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Apple shuffles the Air lineup, possibly eliminating the low-end chip or bumping the entry-level storage to 512GB for higher price points. So the lineup could look something like: MacBook: $699 13-inch MacBook Air: $1,099 15-inch MacBook Air: $1,299 14-inch MacBook Pro: $1,999 16-inch MacBook Pro: $2,499 With the high-end and low-end all but secured, this is an important time for the MacBook Air. It’s started to feel a little stale, with few exciting improvements since its 2022 redesign. Its lower price has helped it become the go-to MacBook for most people, but with an even cheaper MacBook breaking onto the scene, the MacBook Air will have to work even harder to justify its existence.

Macworld While we wait for a new iPhone possibly coming next week, Apple has issued a press release to let everyone know that the iPhone and iPad (when running iOS/iPadOS 26 or later) have now been approved by NATO for use with restricted-level information. The German government previously approved these devices for use with its own classified information. Now, following an audit by the German Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, or BSI), they are approved for such uses in all 32 NATO member nations. Ivan Krstić, Apple’s vice president of Security Engineering and Architecture, said, “Apple has built the most secure devices in the world for all its users, and those same protections are now uniquely certified under assurance requirements for NATO nations — unlike any other device in the industry.” Apple says this makes the iPhone and iPad the only consumer devices approved for such use without any special software installed. The security provided by iOS/iPadOS 26 and Apple’s hardware alone is sufficient when using the appropriate options enabled. Handling classified information typically requires bespoke devices, custom operating systems, or additional custom security software.

Macworld Apple’s list of currently available content for Apple TV continues to grow, and so does the list of upcoming projects in the works. Some of these projects have been officially announced and acknowledged by Apple, while others have been reported by the Hollywood press. We’ve divided this list in two: Coming Soon is a list of shows and films for which Apple has given an official release date or release window, and Further Out compiles content that is still in production or perhaps haven’t even begun yet. Updated February 26, 2026: New announcements and some new tips from Deadline give us a clearer picture of some upcoming Apple TV projects. Our list has been updated accordingly. How to get Apple TV Apple TV 4K (2022, 3. Gen.) 128GB WiFi + Ethernet Read our review You can subscribe to Apple TV on Apple’s website here, or via the Apple TV app on your device. It costs $12.99/£9.99 a month, which you can cancel at any time (Read: How to cancel and Apple subscription). You can also opt for a one-year subscription for $99/£89, which gives you two months free each year. Apple also offers various trials. Take a look at our article explaining all the ways you can watch Apple TV for free, and the best Apple TV deals you can get. Students can get Apple TV for free with an already subsidized Apple Music subscription. You don’t need an Apple TV set top box to watch Apple TV, nor do you have to pay for a subscription, see: How to watch Apple TV for free. Coming Soon to Apple TV The following shows, series, and movies have been officially announced by Apple and will typically will begin streaming in the next few weeks or months. Imperfect Women What it’s about: Imperfect Women examines a crime that shatters the lives of three women in a decades-long friendship. The unconventional thriller explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and the compromises we make that irrevocably alter our lives. Important names: Stars Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, Kate Mara, and Joel Kinnaman. When you can watch: Imperfect Women premieres on March 18, 2026. Wonder Pets: In the City (season 2) What it’s about: A children’s program that follows three kidergarden classroom pets—Izzy the Guinea Pig, Tate the Snake, and Zuri the Bunny—as they go on adventures. Apple Important names: Stars the voices of Victoria Scola-Giampapa, Vanessa Huszar, and Christopher Sean Cooper Jr.. When you can watch: Season 2 of Wonder Pets: In the City premieres on March 20, 2026. For All Mankind (season 5) What it’s about: The fifth and likely final season of the sci-fi epic that imagines an alternate reality where the Soviet Union beat the United States to the moon, and the decades of space race that follows. Important names: Produced by Ronald D. Moore, starring Joel Kinnaman, Wrenn Schmidt, Coral Peña, Krys Marshall, Cynthy Wu, and more. When you can watch: The fifth season of For All Mankind will premiere on March 27, 2026. Your Friends and Neighbors (season 2) What it’s about: After being fired in disgrace, a hedge fund manager still grappling with his recent divorce, resorts to stealing from his neighbors’ homes in the exceedingly affluent Westmont Village, only to discover that the secrets and affairs hidden behind those wealthy facades might be more dangerous than he ever imagined. Important names: Stars Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet, James Marsden, and Olivia Munn. When you can watch: The second season of Your Friends and Neighbors will premiere on April 3, 2026. Outcome What it’s about: A dark comedy about a beloved Hollywood star named Reef Hawk, who must dive into the depths of his hidden demons after he is extorted with a mysterious video that’s sure to shatter his image and end his career. Apple Important names: Starring Keanu Reeves, Jonah Hill, Cameron Diaz, and Matt Bomer. Written and directed by Jonah Hill. When you can watch: Outcome premieres on April 10, 2026. Margo’s Got Money Troubles What it’s about: A comedic family drama following recent college dropout and aspiring writer, Margo, the daughter of an ex-Hooter’s waitress, and ex-pro wrestler, as she’s forced to make her way with a new baby, a mounting pile of bills and a dwindling amount of ways to pay them. Based on Rufi Thorpe’s bestselling novel. Apple Important names: Stars Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nick Offerman, and Michelle Pfeiffer. When you can watch: Margo’s Got Money Troubles will premiere on April 15, 2026. Criminal Record (season 2) What it’s about: A character-driven drama set in the heart of contemporary London, exploring the impossibility of policing when the truth is up for grabs. Apple Important names: Starring Peter Capaldi, Cush Jumbo, Dustin Demri-Burns, and Luca Pasqualino. When you can watch: Season 2 of Criminal Record debuts on April 22, 2026. Widow’s Bay What it’s about: Mayor Tom Loftis is desperate to revive his struggling community. There’s no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception and he must contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. He wants these people to respect him. They don’t. They think he is soft and cowardly. And he is.  Apple Important names: Stars Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, and Kingston Rumi Southwick. When you can watch: Widow’s Bay starts streaming on April 29, 2026. Unconditional What it’s about: A mother-daughter vacation turns in to a nightmare when 25-year-old Gali (Talia Lynne Ronn) is arrested for drug smuggling in Moscow. Apple Important names: Stars Liraz Chamami, Talia Lynne Ronn, Amir Haddad, and Yossi Marshek. Directed by Johnathan Gurfinkel. When you can watch: Unconditional debuts on May 8, 2026. Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed What it’s about: Newly divorced mom Paula falls down a dangerous rabbit hole of blackmail, murder, and youth soccer.  Apple Important names: Starring Tatiana Maslany, Jake Johnson, Jessy Hodges, and Jon Michael Hill. When you can watch: Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed will premiere on May 20, 2026. Star City What it’s about: A spin-off of the For All Mankind universe, Star City takes us back to the key moment in the alt-history retelling of the space race when the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon. But this time, we explore the story from behind the Iron Curtain, showing the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers, and the intelligence officers embedded among them in the Soviet space program.  Apple Important names: Created by Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi, the creators of For All Mankind. When you can watch: Star City premieres on May 29, 2026. Cape Fear What it’s about: A 10-episode limited series inspired by the 1991 remake, a storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna and Tom Bowden when Max Cady, the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison. Apple Important names: Stars Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, and Patrick Wilson. When you can watch: Cape Fear premieres on June 5, 2026. Sugar (season 2) What it’s about: John Sugar is an American private investigator on the heels of the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the beloved granddaughter of legendary Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel. Apple Important names: Starring Colin Farrell, Jin Ha, Raymond Lee, and Tony Dalton. When you can watch: The second season of Sugar premieres on June 19, 2026. Lucky What it’s about: Based on Marissa Stapley’s bestselling novel, Lucky centers on a young woman who left behind the life of crime she was raised in years ago, but must now embrace her darker, criminal side one final time in a desperate attempt to escape her past. Important names: Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. When you can watch: Lucky premieres on July 15, 2026. The Dink What it’s about: Washed up former tennis prodigy Dusty Boyd has been reduced to coaching unruly children at his father Chuck’s suburban country club. After reactivating an old injury, he is forced to play pickleball and loves it. Apple Important names: Produced by Ben Stiller and directed by Josh Greenbaum. Cast includes Jake Johnson, Ed Harris, Patton Oswalt, Chloe Fineman, Chris Parnell, and more. When you can watch: The Dink premieres on July 24, 2026. Ted Lasso (season 4) What it’s about: Apple’s biggest show was thought to be over for good, but Apple announced it’s coming back for a 4th season, with Jason Sudeikis returning in the title role. Apple Important names: Stars Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, Jeremy Swift, Hannah Waddington, and Juno Temple. When you can watch: Season 4 of Ted Lasso will premiere in the summer of 2026. Mayday What it’s about: An action-packed buddy comedy film. When hotshot U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly is sent on a top-secret mission into Russian territory at the height of the Cold War, the operation implodes, leaving him stranded behind enemy lines. Apple Important names: Stars Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branaugh. Written and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. When you can watch: Mayday premieres on September 4, 2026. Matchbox the Movie What it’s about: Inspired by the iconic Mattel toys

Macworld Your iPad Pro can be an absolute beast of a device if you add a keyboard to it, but it’s going to be quite pricey if you get it directly from Apple. Instead, you can get this Zagg Pro Keys 2 keyboard case for $65, a savings of 57 percent and the best price we’ve ever seen. The Zagg Pro Keys 2 case is designed to turn your iPad Pro into a portable workstation. With laptop-style keys that are comfortable for typing, backlighting that’s ideal for late-night work, and multi-device Bluetooth pairing, this model is ideal for all your projects. This is a sturdy keyboard, too, that won’t break when you place it down too hard. The polycarbonate case has rubberized edges and corner bumpers, which means it also has drop protection. The case also doubles as an adjustable stand, so you can place the tablet exactly right. Plus, the keyboard is fully detachable, so you can work as comfortably as you want. So grab this Zagg Pro Keys keyboard case for your 13-inch iPad Pro for just $65 while this deal’s still live. Buy now at Amazon

Macworld The Mac Studio was originally released in 2022 and has been updated twice since then. A report in late 2025 claimed that Apple had “largely written off” the Mac Pro and considers the Mac Studio to be its flagship desktop Mac. That means big things could be in store for the future of the Mac Studio. The current Mac Studio was released in March 2025, and reports indicate that we could see the next update between March and June 2026. This article keeps track of those reports, so for information on what the upgrade will include and when it could be released, refer to this page. 2026 Mac Studio: Release date Possible release in March 2026 Other reports suggest mid-2026 The Mac Studio comes with M-series Max and Ultra chips, and we can use the release of the base M-series chip to get an idea of when the Mac Studio will be updated. Apple releases the base M-series chip first (usually in the MacBook Pro) and then follows with the M-series Max and Ultra Mac Studio a few months later. The most recent base M-series chip is the M5, which was released in the MacBook Pro in October 2025. So that generation of chip will likely make its appearance in the new Mac Studio in the first half of 2026. According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the M5 Max and M5 Ultra Mac Studio are on Apple’s release schedule for 2026. Two of the three Mac Studio releases since it was introduced occurred in March, with the 2023 M2 Max/Ultra Mac Studio released in June at WWDC. So look for an M5 Mac Studio release in the March to June timeframe. With Apple inviting media to “Special Experiences” at three locations on March 4, there is a possibility that the new Mac Studio is one of the new products being showcased at this Apple March event, however, on February 8, Gurman reported that the new Mac Studio “shouldn’t arrive too long after the spring Mac refresh,” indicating that it may not happen in conjunction with the March 4 Experiences. 2026 Mac Studio: Processor Expected to have M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips Apple The 2025 Mac Studio was a complete surprise. It was introduced with an M4 Max chip, which was expected, but the highest-end version shipped with an M3 Ultra rather than an M4 Ultra. The M3 Ultra is technically faster than the M4 Max, but it’s an older chip. Apple has not explained the reasoning for this. The next Mac Studio will not have this staggered chip configuration, according to reports. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that Apple will offer M5 Max and M5 Ultra for the next Mac Studio. MacRumors reported in December 2025 that references to the M5 Max and M5 Ultra Mac Studio appeared in a set of leaked Apple files. The M5 Ultra is expected to significantly outperform the M3 Ultra chips, with major boosts in CPU and GPU performance. 2026 Mac Studio: Specs New separate CPU and GPU blocks for customization Standard configurations of 36GB and 96GB of RAM Thunderbolt 5 The major change with the Mac Studio’s specs is going to be with the chip itself. Apple is completely redesigning how it works, according to an October 2025 report by MaxTech’s Vadim Yuryev. The M5 Pro and M5 Max will feature the CPU and GPU on separate blocks, which would allow customers more options to configure these components. For example, one could set up a base CPU configuration with a maxed-out GPU. While Yuryev did not specifically mention the M5 Ultra, it stands to reason that the Ultra chip will also feature this new block configuration. The rest of the specifications are not expected to change. It will likely start with 36GB of RAM for the M5 Max, and 96GB of RAM for the M5 Ultra, and SSDs up to 8TB or 16TB. The current Mac Studio comes with Thunderbolt 5, and this should continue with the new model. 2026 Mac Studio: Design No design changes expected The Mac Studio made its debut in 2022, so it’s only three years old. Apple is expected to stick with the same design, which is also reflected in the M4 Mac mini, as no reports have been made about the design. Also said to be coming is a new Studio Display monitor which will probably launch in the same time-frame. Foundry The port offerings are also expected to remain the same. The Mac Studio has: M-series Max model: 2 front USB-C ports (supporting USB 3 at 10Gbps) M-series Ultra model: 2 front Thunderbolt 5 ports front SDHX Card slot rear 3.5mm audio jack 4 rear Thunderbolt 5 ports 2 rear USB-A ports HDMI port 10Gb ethernet port 2026 Mac Studio: Price Here are the prices for the current standard base configurations of the 2025 Mac Studio for reference: $1,999/£2,099/CA$2,699/AU$3,499 M4 Max, 36GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD $3,999/£4,199/CA$5,499/AU$6,999 M3 Ultra, 96GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Pricing for the new Mac Studio has not been reported, though pricing could go up because of the U.S. tariffs situation–the components are made overseas. The prices may be adapted to more recent exchange rates elsewhere.

Macworld Tim Cook today announced what he describes as a “big week” for Apple, starting on Monday. “A big week ahead,” he said in a brief post on Twitter/X (using his personal account rather than the main company one, which is very rarely used). “It all starts Monday morning!” A big week ahead. It all starts Monday morning! #AppleLaunch pic.twitter.com/PQ9gM2Gl2r— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 26, 2026 Apple had previously sent out invitations to “special experiences” in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4, which falls in the middle of next week. This post appears to confirm that, rather than being a one-off event, March 4 will form the centerpiece of several days of releases. Other sources have predicted that we’ll see at least five new products across multiple announcements. The phrase “a big week” implies, at least to me, a full five days of announcements, but that might not be what we get. Based on a previous “exciting week,” back in October 2024, new Mac announcements were made on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday only. So the week might be finished by March 4. In his tweet, the Apple CEO also uses the company’s usual hashtag #AppleLaunch, which now shows up with a tiny version of the artwork from those recent invitations: a yellowy green version of the Apple logo. This is known as a Hashflag or Hashmoji, a system where companies pay Twitter to attach a specific emoji to a particular hashtag for promotional purposes. Historically, it was turned into an animated emoji that appears when you like a tweet with the hashtag on the event day. The final element of the tweet is a short looped video. It shows what is initially a blank flat metal surface, on which a hand creates the Apple logo through a series of gestures: waving to place the approximate shape, pinching in the top and bottom, thumb-swiping the leaf, and flicking away the bite. It ends up as the reflective Apple logo seen on the backs of numerous products, including the iPhone. The scale of this one hints at a Mac, although it could also be an iPad. Which makes sense, because both MacBooks and iPads are expected to be announced next week. We’re hoping to get a new entry-level iPad and iPad Air, and there’s huge anticipation for a budget MacBook based around a mobile processor. We’ll probably hear about the iPhone 17e too. But the tweet doesn’t hint at that product, so perhaps it’ll be given a bit less attention than the new MacBook.

Macworld At a time when our smartphones store banking apps, passwords, personal messages, and other sensitive data, privacy screen protectors have become a must for many users. These third-party add-ons rely on micro-louver technology to restrict the viewing angle of the display, limiting visibility from the sides. This makes it difficult for bystanders to see on-screen content at an angle, as the light emits in a controlled, forward-facing direction. During its Unpacked event earlier this week, Samsung revealed its Galaxy S26 line. As you’d expect from phone manufacturers at this point, the keynote heavily revolved around performance gains and AI features. Perhaps the most jaw-dropping highlight, however, was the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new Privacy Display, which mimics the aforementioned screen protectors natively. If Apple truly cares about iPhone users’ privacy, it needs to steal this ingenious invention as soon as possible. How Privacy Display works So, did Samsung just pre-install a privacy screen protector on the Galaxy S26 Ultra to save its customers $20? Far from it. Privacy Display does not rely on an external layer or filter to achieve the intended goal. It has been engineered on the pixel level, dictating how the screen emits light in the first place.  Smartphone displays are typically made up of wide pixels, which emit light outward in multiple directions. This enables you to view on-screen content even when you’re not strictly facing the device. Here’s where Samsung applied its magic. Samsung’s Privacy Display limits the field of view for sensitive content on your phone.Samsung The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the first smartphone to feature what Samsung calls the Black Matrix. Marketing lingo aside, the technology essentially narrows a pixel’s light path using a ring, directing more of the light forward—rather than allowing it to scatter outward. This produces a narrow pixel that behaves in a restricted manner. To make the feature dynamic, Samsung had to incorporate both wide and narrow pixels in its latest flagship phone. When Privacy Display is on, narrow pixels become the primary source of light, reducing visibility from an angle. Toggling it off enables both pixel types to work in tandem, restoring regular light emission. To see it in action is truly mind-blowing. Why Privacy Display wins Now, you may be wondering why iPhone users should care about Privacy Display when screen protectors can seemingly achieve similar results for just a few bucks. Mainly, Samsung’s implementation is neither permanent nor universal. You can toggle the feature on or off using the Quick Panel (Samsung’s Control Center) or tie it to daily schedules or routines. For example, the screen can behave normally when you’re at home and switch to private mode when you’re out and about. More importantly, you can have Privacy Display conceal specific portions of the screen, such as incoming notifications, banking apps, password fields, etc. This maintains your phone’s proper illumination while still blocking others from viewing private content of your choosing. The S26 Ultra can customize when Privacy Display appears.Samsung It is also worth noting that privacy screen protectors come with a few caveats. For starters, they make the screen a little thicker and tend to dim the brightness and alter the colors’ accuracy. They can also make the screen less responsive to touch input and interfere with some features. Samsung’s implementation achieves similar results while maintaining the image quality and the phone’s functionality. Once it becomes a default on all smartphones in the coming years, no one will want to look back. The innovation race Apple’s unwillingness to take risks is slowing down its innovation. Even as an iPhone enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge how mundane Apple’s product launches have generally become. Despite maintaining its status as a trendsetter, Apple has been lagging behind its competitors in terms of breakthrough technology and features. Sure, it is doing wonders with its silicon, but performance means little when the rest of the device is so tediously uninspiring. Privacy Display is objectively an actual, transformative screen innovation in a way the iPhone 18 Pro’s smaller Dynamic Island won’t be.

Macworld Apple might not always seem to understand PC gamers, but it remains a hugely dominant force in that market. Newly published research shows that in 2025, the App Store made significantly more money from games than the other two major platforms combined. According to SensorTower’s State of Gaming 2026 report, which recounts key findings from the previous year and predicts what we can expect in this one, the App Store made gross revenue of $52.5 billion in 2025, compared to just $30 billion for Google’s Play Store and $11.7 billion for Valve’s Steam platform. Steam is doing its best to catch up–its revenue was up 13 percent on the previous year, whereas Google and Apple saw growth of just 2.8 percent and 0.6 percent respectively—but Apple retains its massive lead in the market. (Just as a note on methodology: SensorTower says its revenue figures for the App Store and Google Play are based on IAPs within games rather than the cost of the games themselves, presumably because the vast majority of apps sold are free. They include both the money made by the games publisher and the percentage skimmed off by the platform holder.) Interestingly, while Apple is ahead on revenue, it’s a long way behind on volume. SensorTower reports that a whopping 81 percent of downloads in 2025 were on Google Play (that’s all games, not just mobile), compared to 15 percent for Apple’s App Store. The difference is that iPhone owners are far more likely to spend money. Services, the category of revenue which includes the App Store along with subscription services such as Apple Music and, relevantly to this discussion, Apple Arcade, is a cherished source of income for Apple because it scales so efficiently. There aren’t supply issues when the product is purely digital, and as such, Services is the company’s second-largest revenue generator after the iPhone, and topped S30 billion in the last quarter. All of which should explain why Apple is so reluctant to allow developers to direct users through their own payment systems in order to reduce or avoid the App Store revenue cut. A few years back a court ordered the company to allow “buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to [external] purchasing mechanisms,” but its response was to place a fee on purchases made outside the App Store as well as on those made within. This policy, which calls to mind an old Onion article about American Airlines charging non-passengers, did not go down well with the judge. But you can kind of see why they were tempted to try.