I’m doubling down on an upgraded MagSafe system for iPhone Ultra.
The latest dummy leaks for the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Ultra by Vadim Yuryev from Max Tech seem to confirm all the sizes and dimensions for the 3 devices, but there is some important information that is missing…📓
The latest dummy leaks for the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Ultra by Vadim Yuryev from Max Tech seem to confirm all the sizes and dimensions for the 3 devices, but there is some important information that is missing.
There are no official dimensions for the iPhone Ultra, and the model seems incomplete. It is missing some key feature such as a flash and the MagSafe ring. My guess is the Ultra’s dummy unit isn’t a final unit unlike the 18 Pro and Pro Max models. This makes sense because even if the final dimensions for the device were available, how would case manufacturers really approach the device since the hinge mechanism has not been detailed? Any case that is made for the device will be useless without proper hinge details.
The cases will also be useless because most people will want the proper MagSafe layout, and in this case, an updated layout for more stability as I quickly conjured up on X:
I’m doubling down on MagSafe being on this device since it is an essential iPhone feature available on all iPhones Apple sells today. The logic of excluding it for their most expensive phone does not compute.
My theory - the lack of MagSafe rings on the dummy model isn’t a bad sign, but a good sign because Apple is trying to keep this new MagSafe system a secret.
More details about my MagSafe Ultra theory (from a previous post):
Instead of a single line of vertical stabilizer magnets currently in iPhones (pg 194), we get corner magnets to make MagSafe even more stable - I’m talking rock solid stable since iPhone Ultra, in its fully open position, will start swiveling on a circular charger due to weight asymmetry. Think of a square shaped mount with rounded corners that matches the iPhone Ultra’s back with 4 corner magnets, and the circular MagSafe ring in the middle. That’s the only way to keep the phone from rotating when fully opened. In the closed position, iPhone Ultra will be backwards compatible with standard circular MagSafe chargers, and this new square with rounded corners should still work with older iPhones.
For accessories, expect most older rectangular accessories to work, but they will jut out and look out of place on iPhone Ultra. I’m talking wallets, battery banks, and weird stands.
Since Apple is going all out in trying new things, how about we get custom MagSafe Ultra Battery Packs that fit flush with iPhone Ultra? If they could make a one-off battery for iPhone Air, surely the Ultra also deserves one?
iPhone Air is $150 off for a brand new unlocked device at Best Buy.
The latest iPhone model being discounted by $150 for an unlocked device is something you will rarely find in the United States, and this is the first time I’m ever seeing it from a well known retailer.
Best Buy really must have a lot of stock they want to move out of storage. The 1 TB Cloud White model is sold out, but you can still snag all other variants.
(originally reported by 9to5Toys)
The latest iPhone model being discounted by $150 for an unlocked device is something you will rarely find in the United States, and this is the first time I’m ever seeing it from a well known retailer.
Best Buy really must have a lot of stock they want to move out of storage. The 1 TB Cloud White model is sold out, but you can still snag all other variants.
(originally reported by 9to5Toys)
iPhone Ultra could be the beginning of MagSafe Ultra?
The iPhone Ultra (or whatever Apple calls it), is going to be a device like no other. It will break many molds of what a traditional iPhone should be, and most important of all, it will break the MagSafe mold that has been a staple for iPhones since 2020.
A phone with the name “Ultra” in it should have Qi2 or MagSafe wireless charging built-in, and an iPhone with the name “Ultra,” accompanied with a hefty price tag, should definitely have MagSafe built-in. When I look at the dummy models for the iPhone Ultra, it definitely begs the question:
Does this device support MagSafe???
Photos released by Sonny Dickson on X show the 18 Pro and Pro Max with MagSafe circles, but the circle is missing on the Ultra. It would be an absolute deal breaker for many (including myself) if Apple skips MagSafe, but I’m hoping with iPhone Ultra, Apple is getting ready for the next generation of MagSafe on iPhone:
MagSafe Ultra.
Maybe we will get the following (all speculation of course):
Instead of a single line of vertical stabilizer magnets currently in iPhones (pg 194), we get corner magnets to make MagSafe even more stable - I’m talking rock solid stable since iPhone Ultra, in its fully open position, will start swiveling on a circular charger due to weight asymmetry. Think of a square shaped mount with rounded corners that matches the iPhone Ultra’s back with 4 corner magnets, and the circular MagSafe ring in the middle. That’s the only way to keep the phone from rotating when fully opened. In the closed position, iPhone Ultra will be backwards compatible with standard circular MagSafe chargers, and this new square with rounded corners should still work with older iPhones.
For accessories, expect most older rectangular accessories to work, but they will jut out and look out of place on iPhone Ultra. I’m talking wallets, battery banks, and weird stands.
Since Apple is going all out in trying new things, how about we get custom MagSafe Ultra Battery Packs that fit flush with iPhone Ultra? If they could make a one-off battery for iPhone Air, surely the Ultra also deserves one?
The iPhone Ultra (or whatever Apple calls it), is going to be a device like no other. It will break many molds of what a traditional iPhone should be, and most important of all, it will break the MagSafe mold that has been a staple for iPhones since 2020.
A phone with the name “Ultra” in it should have Qi2 or MagSafe wireless charging built-in, and an iPhone with the name “Ultra,” accompanied with a hefty price tag, should definitely have MagSafe built-in. When I look at the dummy models for the iPhone Ultra, it definitely begs the question:
Does this device support MagSafe???
Photos released by Sonny Dickson on X show the 18 Pro and Pro Max with MagSafe circles, but the circle is missing on the Ultra. It would be an absolute deal breaker for many (including myself) if Apple skips MagSafe, but I’m hoping with iPhone Ultra, Apple is getting ready for the next generation of MagSafe on iPhone:
MagSafe Ultra.
Maybe we will get the following (all speculation of course):
Instead of a single line of vertical stabilizer magnets currently in iPhones (pg 194), we get corner magnets to make MagSafe even more stable - I’m talking rock solid stable since iPhone Ultra, in its fully open position, will start swiveling on a circular charger due to weight asymmetry. Think of a square shaped mount with rounded corners that matches the iPhone Ultra’s back with 4 corner magnets, and the circular MagSafe ring in the middle. That’s the only way to keep the phone from rotating when fully opened. In the closed position, iPhone Ultra will be backwards compatible with standard circular MagSafe chargers, and this new square with rounded corners should still work with older iPhones.
For accessories, expect most older rectangular accessories to work, but they will jut out and look out of place on iPhone Ultra. I’m talking wallets, battery banks, and weird stands.
Since Apple is going all out in trying new things, how about we get custom MagSafe Ultra Battery Packs that fit flush with iPhone Ultra? If they could make a one-off battery for iPhone Air, surely the Ultra also deserves one?
iPhone Air bumper cases are $17 on Amazon.
You can get the Light Blue or Black for the discounted price (affiliate links provided). These do fit well on iPhone Air and for $17, it’s a fair price compared to $39.
You can get the Light Blue or Black for the discounted price (affiliate links provided). These do fit well on iPhone Air and for $17, it’s a fair price compared to $39.
The original iPhone’s epic plastic screen story is nonchalantly repeating itself with Ceramic Shield 2.
Everyone knows the famous story of the original iPhone, where Steve Jobs was not happy when the plastic screen got gouged by his keys in his pocket. The iPhone was already announced to the public, and they only had 5 months to fix this issue before the iPhone ships. It was an impossible timeline, but the inevitable had to happen:
The iPhone had to ship with a glass screen.
An excerpt from Apple in China by Patrick McGee (affiliate link) describing the ordeal:
Two weeks after unveiling “the one device,” Steve Jobs walked into a routine divisional meeting. He was in a bad mood and didn’t look good. Then he pulled out his prototype iPhone, which looked worse. The keys in his pocket had cut a huge gouge across its plastic screen. He threw the unit onto the boardroom table toward Steve Zadesky and demanded: “Make it glass.” It wasn’t the first time the idea had come up. In September 2006, just four months earlier, Jobs had grown angry about smaller scratch marks and complained to a mid-level executive: “Look at this, look at this—what’s with the screen?” The executive responded, “Well, Steve, we have a glass prototype, but it fails the one-meter drop test one hundred times out of one hundred times.” Jobs cut the executive off. “I just want to know if you’re going to make the f**king thing work.” Now, in January, Jobs wasn’t taking excuses. Apple had just announced the phone would be available in June; the date couldn’t be pushed back. Six months would’ve been a rush job; but they had even less time than that. The display is a module that had to be ready months ahead of the assembly.
What followed is perhaps the best-known anecdote on the manufacturing of the original iPhone. Jobs reached out to Wendell Weeks, CEO of Corning, a glassmaker in upstate New York, saying he needed the hardest glass they could make. Weeks told Jobs about Gorilla Glass, something Corning had developed for fighter-jet cockpits back in the 1960s. They’d never found a market for it and abandoned the project. Jobs convinced him to begin production immediately.
The decision risked throwing Zadesky, who managed all the mechanical parts for the iPhone project, into a tailspin. He and Tang Tan, another iPod veteran, had to quickly put together a touchscreen supply chain, as glass and plastic function in totally different ways. Fadell likens this “crazy” phase to landing “a fleet of 200 jets on an aircraft carrier, all within minutes of each other. And all the jets were running out of fuel.” Apple needed to find manufacturers that were highly competent, but with enough capacity to free up their top talent.
Every iPhone screen has always been glass, but glass still scratches no matter how OCD you are about it. More specifically, most screens on phones scratch at a level 6 with deeper grooves at a level 7 on Mohs scale of hardness. It’s a common phrase you hear as a tech nerd courtesy of Zack, but that stopped in 2025 with the release of Ceramic Shield 2.
Apple introduced Ceramic Shield 2 for iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and iPhone Air, which provides 3x better scratch resistance than previous iPhones. It seemed like a standard upgrade with the same fluffy marketing, but it really does make a real world difference. I never use a screen protector on my screens and upgrade iPhones every year, and my iPhone Air’s front glass is completely scratch free 6 months later.
This has never happened to me before.
Not a single scratch.
And that’s while using it caseless!
There probably isn’t an epic story behind the birth of Ceramic Shield 2 - just years of iterating and perfecting the glass chemistry to make it more durable - but the effect it has had on iPhone displays is seriously underrated.
Everyone knows the famous story of the original iPhone, where Steve Jobs was not happy when the plastic screen got gouged by his keys in his pocket. The iPhone was already announced to the public, and they only had 5 months to fix this issue before the iPhone ships. It was an impossible timeline, but the inevitable had to happen:
The iPhone had to ship with a glass screen.
An excerpt from Apple in China by Patrick McGee (affiliate link) describing the ordeal:
Two weeks after unveiling “the one device,” Steve Jobs walked into a routine divisional meeting. He was in a bad mood and didn’t look good. Then he pulled out his prototype iPhone, which looked worse. The keys in his pocket had cut a huge gouge across its plastic screen. He threw the unit onto the boardroom table toward Steve Zadesky and demanded: “Make it glass.” It wasn’t the first time the idea had come up. In September 2006, just four months earlier, Jobs had grown angry about smaller scratch marks and complained to a mid-level executive: “Look at this, look at this—what’s with the screen?” The executive responded, “Well, Steve, we have a glass prototype, but it fails the one-meter drop test one hundred times out of one hundred times.” Jobs cut the executive off. “I just want to know if you’re going to make the f**king thing work.” Now, in January, Jobs wasn’t taking excuses. Apple had just announced the phone would be available in June; the date couldn’t be pushed back. Six months would’ve been a rush job; but they had even less time than that. The display is a module that had to be ready months ahead of the assembly.
What followed is perhaps the best-known anecdote on the manufacturing of the original iPhone. Jobs reached out to Wendell Weeks, CEO of Corning, a glassmaker in upstate New York, saying he needed the hardest glass they could make. Weeks told Jobs about Gorilla Glass, something Corning had developed for fighter-jet cockpits back in the 1960s. They’d never found a market for it and abandoned the project. Jobs convinced him to begin production immediately.
The decision risked throwing Zadesky, who managed all the mechanical parts for the iPhone project, into a tailspin. He and Tang Tan, another iPod veteran, had to quickly put together a touchscreen supply chain, as glass and plastic function in totally different ways. Fadell likens this “crazy” phase to landing “a fleet of 200 jets on an aircraft carrier, all within minutes of each other. And all the jets were running out of fuel.” Apple needed to find manufacturers that were highly competent, but with enough capacity to free up their top talent.
Every iPhone screen has always been glass, but glass still scratches no matter how OCD you are about it. More specifically, most screens on phones scratch at a level 6 with deeper grooves at a level 7 on Mohs scale of hardness. It’s a common phrase you hear as a tech nerd courtesy of Zack, but that stopped in 2025 with the release of Ceramic Shield 2.
Apple introduced Ceramic Shield 2 for iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and iPhone Air, which provides 3x better scratch resistance than previous iPhones. It seemed like a standard upgrade with the same fluffy marketing, but it really does make a real world difference. I never use a screen protector on my screens and upgrade iPhones every year, and my iPhone Air’s front glass is completely scratch free 6 months later.
This has never happened to me before.
Not a single scratch.
And that’s while using it caseless!
There probably isn’t an epic story behind the birth of Ceramic Shield 2 - just years of iterating and perfecting the glass chemistry to make it more durable - but the effect it has had on iPhone displays is seriously underrated.
Apple shows off rare prototypes to the Wall Street Journal.
Nice little video with Tim Cook and Ben Cohen from the Wall Street Journal talking about key moments in Apple’s history, showing some rare prototypes, and, “one more thing” from the Wall Street Journal for Tim Cook. Worth a watch.
Nice little video with Tim Cook and Ben Cohen from the Wall Street Journal talking about key moments in Apple’s history, showing some rare prototypes, and, “one more thing” from the Wall Street Journal for Tim Cook. Worth a watch.
The European Union gets major features with iOS 26.5 Beta 1
Juli Clover at MacRumors mentions all the new features as part of her iOS 26.5 Beta 1 coverage:
European Union Third-Party Wearable Changes
Apple is working on new interoperability features in the EU to comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act. Apple has tested these features in prior betas, but the Live Activity sharing feature is new.
Proximity pairing - Devices like earbuds will be able to pair with an iOS device in an AirPods-like way by bringing the accessory close to an iPhone or iPad to initiate a simple, one-tap pairing process. Pairing third-party devices will no longer require multiple steps.
Notifications - Third-party accessories like smart watches will be able to receive notifications from the iPhone. Users will be able to view and react to incoming notifications, which is a capability normally limited to the Apple Watch. Notifications can only be forwarded to one connected device at a time, and turning on notifications for a third-party device disables notifications to an Apple Watch. Notifications from select apps can be forwarded, or from all apps.
Live Activities - Live Activities are able to sync to a third-party wearable, similar to other notifications. This is a feature that appears to be new to iOS 26.5.
There's no word on when the EU third-party wearable features will launch, and Apple also tested them in the iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 betas before removing them when the software was released to the public.
Proximity pairing sounds neat and convenient, but Notifications and Live Activities on third-party smart watches sounds like a huge mess:
What if the manufacturer of a 3rd-party smartwatch releases an update that accidentally breaks iPhone notification compatibility?
With Apple Watch, you can pair up to 5 Apple Watches with one iPhone and easily switch them out to activate them, simply by wearing the other watch. Notifications only go to the Apple Watch you’re wearing. How smooth will the transition be when going from a 3rd-party watch to an Apple Watch or vice versa?
What 3rd party devices will be supported and for how many years? iPhone and Apple Watch compatibility already has a lot of tiers depending on how far back you go, but you almost need a Doctorate just to figure out if an iPhone and Apple Watch are compatible. I can’t even imagine how that will be for 3rd party devices.
Juli Clover at MacRumors mentions all the new features as part of her iOS 26.5 Beta 1 coverage:
European Union Third-Party Wearable Changes
Apple is working on new interoperability features in the EU to comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act. Apple has tested these features in prior betas, but the Live Activity sharing feature is new.
Proximity pairing - Devices like earbuds will be able to pair with an iOS device in an AirPods-like way by bringing the accessory close to an iPhone or iPad to initiate a simple, one-tap pairing process. Pairing third-party devices will no longer require multiple steps.
Notifications - Third-party accessories like smart watches will be able to receive notifications from the iPhone. Users will be able to view and react to incoming notifications, which is a capability normally limited to the Apple Watch. Notifications can only be forwarded to one connected device at a time, and turning on notifications for a third-party device disables notifications to an Apple Watch. Notifications from select apps can be forwarded, or from all apps.
Live Activities - Live Activities are able to sync to a third-party wearable, similar to other notifications. This is a feature that appears to be new to iOS 26.5.
There's no word on when the EU third-party wearable features will launch, and Apple also tested them in the iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 betas before removing them when the software was released to the public.
Proximity pairing sounds neat and convenient, but Notifications and Live Activities on third-party smart watches sounds like a huge mess:
What if the manufacturer of a 3rd-party smartwatch releases an update that accidentally breaks iPhone notification compatibility?
With Apple Watch, you can pair up to 5 Apple Watches with one iPhone and easily switch them out to activate them, simply by wearing the other watch. Notifications only go to the Apple Watch you’re wearing. How smooth will the transition be when going from a 3rd-party watch to an Apple Watch or vice versa?
What 3rd party devices will be supported and for how many years? iPhone and Apple Watch compatibility already has a lot of tiers depending on how far back you go, but you almost need a Doctorate just to figure out if an iPhone and Apple Watch are compatible. I can’t even imagine how that will be for 3rd party devices.
How the iPhone’s Screenshot buttons came to be.
Heard this on The Talk Show a few days ago, but Imthaz at Volatile Inputs has the full transcript of that particular segment between John Gruber and David Pogue.
Heard this on The Talk Show a few days ago, but Imthaz at Volatile Inputs has the full transcript of that particular segment between John Gruber and David Pogue.
When one MagSafe car mount is not enough.
We needed 3 different MagSafe mounts. Technically we could get by with 2, but the 3rd one on top was necessary for entertainment purposes so the kids in the 3rd row could still watch YouTube. It’s the opposite of being addicted to YouTube, but also not quite torture since you can still make out the contents if you squint hard enough. You have to get the dopamine dose just right. 📓
I have a dual MagSafe setup in my car, but for my wife’s car, the one that gets significant highway miles and travels to the pothole capital of the world (New York City), we needed something more than just a simple MagSafe setup:
We needed 3 different MagSafe mounts. Technically we could get by with 2, but the 3rd one on top was necessary for entertainment purposes so the kids in the 3rd row could still watch YouTube. It’s the opposite of being addicted to YouTube, but also not quite torture since you can still make out the contents if you squint hard enough. You have to get the dopamine dose just right.
The triple threat.
The one on top is my new favorite accessory by LISEN that so far has been promising. It has a motor that makes the suction really tight, and will self-activate if it notices the suction getting weaker, giving you peace of mind. We didn’t have any falls or loss of suction over an 8 hour driving period. It also allows for a landscape orientation whereas the bottom two are too tight together to allow for landscape.
On the bottom right we have a standard Apple MagSafe puck hooked into a CD slot holder, primarily used for charging of course. The bottom left is a Moment MagSafe Wall Mount that I permanently attached to the archaic infotainment display. Blocking the display wasn’t an issue since we always keep it on the bluetooth player setting. The Moment mount is my go to for navigation and when driving on bumpier roads since it has really strong magnets. Plenty an iPhone hath fallen when placed on the MagSafe charger, and I just don’t need that in my life anymore. The magnets on the LISEN are similar to the Moment mount and can withstand even the worst potholes. All three mounts have a purpose, and strategic placement throughout long journeys between charging and bad road conditions means I don’t have to think about my phone falling and can concentrate on driving.
All audio is routed via Bluetooth, making this hot mess actually very seamless and manageable.
If I was a case kind of guy, I would get these Spigen Macintosh throwback cases.
Andrew Clare on X has some great photos showing an iPhone 17 Pro case, MagSafe wallet, and AirPods Pro 3 case that scream nostalgia, reminding me of those days in computer class where we would play Where in the World is Carmen San Diego on some Apple IIe computers.
Once again the love for the iPhone Air is so grand, so magnificent, that Spigen also didn’t see the need to release this retro case for the most durable and most loved device by Apple.
It’s unheard of.
Andrew Clare on X has some great photos showing an iPhone 17 Pro case, MagSafe wallet, and AirPods Pro 3 case that scream nostalgia, reminding me of those days in computer class where we would play Where in the World is Carmen San Diego on some Apple IIe computers.
Once again the love for the iPhone Air is so grand, so magnificent, that Spigen also didn’t see the need to release this retro case for the most durable and most loved device by Apple.
It’s unheard of.
You can get MagSafe magnets on iPhone 16e by using the back glass of an iPhone 17e.
It’s not perfect and I don’t expect Apple to update the software to support it, but the back glass of an iPhone 17e can be swapped into an iPhone 16e. Per iFixit:
It’s not a 100% identical experience: Your 16e won’t inherit the “thonk” noise and MagSafe animation, and it won’t pop into StandBy mode when you’re MagSafe charging and your phone is on its side.
Your 16e also won’t suddenly become aware of the iPhone 17e’s Qi2 charging standard, which draws a consistent 15W instead of the variable 5-15W of Qi and Qi Magnetic. It should still mean more efficient charging, however. We’d have to do more testing to be sure, but we have observed the 16e with a 17e back glass draw up to 10W, and it seems plausible that a 16e with the MagSafe alignment might even draw closer to 15W. In all, being able to swap in a 17e MagSafe back is essentially giving last year’s phone this year’s upgrade, for a fraction of the price.
How much? Apple hasn’t released 17e parts yet, so we won’t know exactly until then, but you can get other MagSafe iPhone back glass parts for $120 after a return part credit. Many third-party suppliers currently offer an equivalent part for about $20.
Most people who are buying a budget, entry level iPhone 16e have a case on it, and I would bet that case has MagSafe rings. For those non-enthusiasts, the MagSafe problem never existed. In fact, their phone case gave them a bonus magnetic system allowing for easier charging and easier mounting for accessories like wallets and battery packs.
Most tech enthusiasts who carry their iPhone caseless aren’t using an iPhone 16e and already have MagSafe on their iPhone, so although this is a neat feature, only about 5 people in the world will appreciate it. Out of those 5, how many will actually pay extra and teardown their phone to do the “repair?”
My guess is zero.
It’s not perfect and I don’t expect Apple to update the software to support it, but the back glass of an iPhone 17e can be swapped into an iPhone 16e. Per iFixit:
It’s not a 100% identical experience: Your 16e won’t inherit the “thonk” noise and MagSafe animation, and it won’t pop into StandBy mode when you’re MagSafe charging and your phone is on its side.
Your 16e also won’t suddenly become aware of the iPhone 17e’s Qi2 charging standard, which draws a consistent 15W instead of the variable 5-15W of Qi and Qi Magnetic. It should still mean more efficient charging, however. We’d have to do more testing to be sure, but we have observed the 16e with a 17e back glass draw up to 10W, and it seems plausible that a 16e with the MagSafe alignment might even draw closer to 15W. In all, being able to swap in a 17e MagSafe back is essentially giving last year’s phone this year’s upgrade, for a fraction of the price.
How much? Apple hasn’t released 17e parts yet, so we won’t know exactly until then, but you can get other MagSafe iPhone back glass parts for $120 after a return part credit. Many third-party suppliers currently offer an equivalent part for about $20.
Most people who are buying a budget, entry level iPhone 16e have a case on it, and I would bet that case has MagSafe rings. For those non-enthusiasts, the MagSafe problem never existed. In fact, their phone case gave them a bonus magnetic system allowing for easier charging and easier mounting for accessories like wallets and battery packs.
Most tech enthusiasts who carry their iPhone caseless aren’t using an iPhone 16e and already have MagSafe on their iPhone, so although this is a neat feature, only about 5 people in the world will appreciate it. Out of those 5, how many will actually pay extra and teardown their phone to do the “repair?”
My guess is zero.
iPhone Clock icon transition right at daylight savings time.
Had to get up for work at 2:30am but that time didn’t exist last night, so I decided to get up at 1:55am and saw the clock transition from 1:59am to 3am. Nothing super special, but you have to wait 8 months to see a transition like this again.
Had to get up for work at 2:30am but that time didn’t exist last night, so I decided to get up at 1:55am and saw the clock transition from 1:59am to 3am. Nothing super special, but you have to wait 8 months to see a transition like this again.
Apple loves the iPhone Air and its durability so much, it didn’t need to release new cases for it.
Apple's Silicone Case for the standard iPhone 17 model has three new color options, including Bright Guava, Vanilla, and Electric Lavender.
Bright Guava and Vanilla extend to the Silicone Case for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but the Pro models did not get Electric Lavender treatment.
Apple has a Silicone Case for the new iPhone 17e too, and it comes in Bright Guava, Vanilla, Soft Pink, and a handful of other colors.
Apple also has a MagSafe Clear Case for the iPhone 17e.
If you prefer an iPhone 17e case from Apple's Beats brand, there is a new MagSafe case with hard plastic. It comes in Bedrock Blue and Lime Stone.
Any new case options for the iPhone Air? Any?
Of course not, because why would the best designed iPhone, with superior Titanium durability, even need a case? Unlike the other inferior options with their inferior aluminum chassis, the Air can take a beating over and over again.
Apple’s love for the Air is more obvious than ever.
Apple's Silicone Case for the standard iPhone 17 model has three new color options, including Bright Guava, Vanilla, and Electric Lavender.
Bright Guava and Vanilla extend to the Silicone Case for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but the Pro models did not get Electric Lavender treatment.
Apple has a Silicone Case for the new iPhone 17e too, and it comes in Bright Guava, Vanilla, Soft Pink, and a handful of other colors.
Apple also has a MagSafe Clear Case for the iPhone 17e.
If you prefer an iPhone 17e case from Apple's Beats brand, there is a new MagSafe case with hard plastic. It comes in Bedrock Blue and Lime Stone.
Any new case options for the iPhone Air? Any?
Of course not, because why would the best designed iPhone, with superior Titanium durability, even need a case? Unlike the other inferior options with their inferior aluminum chassis, the Air can take a beating over and over again.
Apple’s love for the Air is more obvious than ever.
Apple releases iPhone 17e, with MagSafe (Finally!)
Apple today announced iPhone 17e, a powerful and more affordable addition to the iPhone 17 lineup. At the heart of iPhone 17e is the latest-generation A19, which delivers exceptional performance for everything users do. iPhone 17e also features C1X, the latest-generation cellular modem designed by Apple, which is up to 2x faster than C1 in iPhone 16e. The 48MP Fusion camera captures stunning photos, including next-generation portraits, and 4K Dolby Vision video. It also enables an optical-quality 2x Telephoto — like having two cameras in one. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display features Ceramic Shield 2, offering 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare.1 With MagSafe, users can enjoy fast wireless charging and access to a vast ecosystem of accessories like chargers and cases. And when iPhone 17e users are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, Apple’s groundbreaking satellite features — including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite — help them stay connected when it matters most.2
Available in three elegant colors with a premium matte finish — black, white, and a beautiful new soft pink — iPhone 17e will be available for pre-order beginning Wednesday, March 4, with availability starting Wednesday, March 11. iPhone 17e will start at 256GB of storage for $599 — 2x the entry storage from the previous generation at the same starting price, and 4x more than iPhone 12 — giving users more space for high-resolution photos, 4K videos, apps, games, and more.
MagSafe is the real win here, but also Ceramic Shield 2 is a huge win for durability, not to mention double the base storage starting at 256GB. Soft pink will be a big seller too.
All the right upgrades.
Absolute no-brainer recommendation for most people who just want a basic iPhone.
Apple today announced iPhone 17e, a powerful and more affordable addition to the iPhone 17 lineup. At the heart of iPhone 17e is the latest-generation A19, which delivers exceptional performance for everything users do. iPhone 17e also features C1X, the latest-generation cellular modem designed by Apple, which is up to 2x faster than C1 in iPhone 16e. The 48MP Fusion camera captures stunning photos, including next-generation portraits, and 4K Dolby Vision video. It also enables an optical-quality 2x Telephoto — like having two cameras in one. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display features Ceramic Shield 2, offering 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare.1 With MagSafe, users can enjoy fast wireless charging and access to a vast ecosystem of accessories like chargers and cases. And when iPhone 17e users are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, Apple’s groundbreaking satellite features — including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite — help them stay connected when it matters most.2
Available in three elegant colors with a premium matte finish — black, white, and a beautiful new soft pink — iPhone 17e will be available for pre-order beginning Wednesday, March 4, with availability starting Wednesday, March 11. iPhone 17e will start at 256GB of storage for $599 — 2x the entry storage from the previous generation at the same starting price, and 4x more than iPhone 12 — giving users more space for high-resolution photos, 4K videos, apps, games, and more.
MagSafe is the real win here, but also Ceramic Shield 2 is a huge win for durability, not to mention double the base storage starting at 256GB. Soft pink will be a big seller too.
All the right upgrades.
Absolute no-brainer recommendation for most people who just want a basic iPhone.
iPhone Air parts to be scrapped due to poor sales.
Kudos for Apple to try and make a new product category, but it isn’t what the people wanted.
Apple and its suppliers are currently tallying up the cost of severely miscalculating consumer enthusiasm for last year’s iPhone Air. Weighing 12 grams less but with a slightly larger screen than the iPhone 17, Apple made the bet that customers would be willing to pay $200 more for, well, “air.” […]
Apple and its suppliers are now stuck with components for up to 1.5 million units of iPhone Air, my sources tell me, even after the order came down in October to cut back production. What’s worse, some of that cannot be repurposed and instead may need to be scrapped, I am told. To be clear, that doesn’t mean 1.5 million iPhones will be scrapped, merely some of the components specific to the iPhone Air.
The three main components discussed are the titanium frame, the 6.5-inch screen size, and the binned A19 Pro chip:
The titanium frame is specific to the iPhone Air in both size and materials, with the other two models using aluminium. Excess inventory here cannot be repurposed but can be recycled. In fact, 80% of this inventory is already recycled, so Apple and its suppliers will recoup some of the cost.
The OLED “Super Retina XDR” screen is basically the same across all models, but the Air’s 6.5-inch size is mid-way between the 6.9-inch and 6.3-inch versions. I am told that displays which have already been cut, framed and put onto modules will need to be scrapped, though some of that will also be crushed, separated, and recycled.
Possibly the biggest hurt could be with the chips. Apple uses the same A19 Pro CPU in the Air as it does with the iPhone 17 Pro. But the Air has only 5 GPU cores — as does the base iPhone 17 — while the iPhone 17 Pro has 6 GPU cores. (To be blunt, this is merely chip binning, not a new chip).
As a result, the unused Air chips cannot be put in the the lower-end base iPhone 17 nor in the higher-end iPhone 17 Pro. They cannot be repurposed. Even worse, the Air has 12GB of DRAM while the baseline iPhone 17 has just 8GB, according to TrendForce. So, any processor modules which have already had their DRAM fused onto the CPU would also result in wasted DRAM — unless Apple and TSMC find some magical way to “unfuse” the memory from the base die.
I agree with Tim that the Air wasn’t a mistake, and Apple broke the mold by trying something new instead of rehashing the same boring set of phones each year. Apple doesn’t spray and pray, but the ability to be more bold with their hardware decisions is welcome.
Now please, make the Pro devices out of titanium again.
Kudos for Apple to try and make a new product category, but it isn’t what the people wanted.
Apple and its suppliers are currently tallying up the cost of severely miscalculating consumer enthusiasm for last year’s iPhone Air. Weighing 12 grams less but with a slightly larger screen than the iPhone 17, Apple made the bet that customers would be willing to pay $200 more for, well, “air.” […]
Apple and its suppliers are now stuck with components for up to 1.5 million units of iPhone Air, my sources tell me, even after the order came down in October to cut back production. What’s worse, some of that cannot be repurposed and instead may need to be scrapped, I am told. To be clear, that doesn’t mean 1.5 million iPhones will be scrapped, merely some of the components specific to the iPhone Air.
The three main components discussed are the titanium frame, the 6.5-inch screen size, and the binned A19 Pro chip:
The titanium frame is specific to the iPhone Air in both size and materials, with the other two models using aluminium. Excess inventory here cannot be repurposed but can be recycled. In fact, 80% of this inventory is already recycled, so Apple and its suppliers will recoup some of the cost.
The OLED “Super Retina XDR” screen is basically the same across all models, but the Air’s 6.5-inch size is mid-way between the 6.9-inch and 6.3-inch versions. I am told that displays which have already been cut, framed and put onto modules will need to be scrapped, though some of that will also be crushed, separated, and recycled.
Possibly the biggest hurt could be with the chips. Apple uses the same A19 Pro CPU in the Air as it does with the iPhone 17 Pro. But the Air has only 5 GPU cores — as does the base iPhone 17 — while the iPhone 17 Pro has 6 GPU cores. (To be blunt, this is merely chip binning, not a new chip).
As a result, the unused Air chips cannot be put in the the lower-end base iPhone 17 nor in the higher-end iPhone 17 Pro. They cannot be repurposed. Even worse, the Air has 12GB of DRAM while the baseline iPhone 17 has just 8GB, according to TrendForce. So, any processor modules which have already had their DRAM fused onto the CPU would also result in wasted DRAM — unless Apple and TSMC find some magical way to “unfuse” the memory from the base die.
I agree with Tim that the Air wasn’t a mistake, and Apple broke the mold by trying something new instead of rehashing the same boring set of phones each year. Apple doesn’t spray and pray, but the ability to be more bold with their hardware decisions is welcome.
Now please, make the Pro devices out of titanium again.
iPhone 5s gets a software update 13 years after its debut.
Juli Clover from MacRumors:
iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013, while the iPhone 6 launched in September 2014.
According to Apple's release notes for the update, iOS 12.5.8 extends the certificate required for features like iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation, so they will continue to work after January 2027.
Originally, certificate-limited functions like device activation would have ceased when the certificate expired, but now key features on the two older iPhones will continue to work in the years to come.
Prior to now, the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 last received software updates in January 2023, when Apple released important security fixes.
Quite unbelievable, honestly. How many of you were in diapers when this device was released? Even more unbelievable - people who are still using these devices today. I wish I could use a device in this smaller form factor, but it goes to show not everyone needs the latest and greatest.
Juli Clover from MacRumors:
iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013, while the iPhone 6 launched in September 2014.
According to Apple's release notes for the update, iOS 12.5.8 extends the certificate required for features like iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation, so they will continue to work after January 2027.
Originally, certificate-limited functions like device activation would have ceased when the certificate expired, but now key features on the two older iPhones will continue to work in the years to come.
Prior to now, the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 last received software updates in January 2023, when Apple released important security fixes.
Quite unbelievable, honestly. How many of you were in diapers when this device was released? Even more unbelievable - people who are still using these devices today. I wish I could use a device in this smaller form factor, but it goes to show not everyone needs the latest and greatest.
iPhone Air gets a SIM tray?
Saw this on Twitter the other day and the post has been picked up by 9to5Mac with the embedded video:
A viral post is making the rounds today, showcasing what appears to be an iPhone Air modified to include a SIM card slot.
Based on multiple reports on Chinese tech websites and social media, the mod was made by a creator credited simply as Huaqiangbei, which is also the name of a subdistrict of Shenzhen famous for selling cheap electronics. […]
According to multiple reports and posts about the viral video, the mod was achieved by replacing Apple’s haptic feedback component with a smaller, less potent motor, making space for the SIM tray.
As it usually happens with viral posts of modified iPhones, there is no shortage of comments claiming that, rather than being an original iPhone Air that was modified, the device is simply a clone meant to look exactly like Apple’s device.
Whatever the case may be, I’m still sticking to my original theory.
Saw this on Twitter the other day and the post has been picked up by 9to5Mac with the embedded video:
A viral post is making the rounds today, showcasing what appears to be an iPhone Air modified to include a SIM card slot.
Based on multiple reports on Chinese tech websites and social media, the mod was made by a creator credited simply as Huaqiangbei, which is also the name of a subdistrict of Shenzhen famous for selling cheap electronics. […]
According to multiple reports and posts about the viral video, the mod was achieved by replacing Apple’s haptic feedback component with a smaller, less potent motor, making space for the SIM tray.
As it usually happens with viral posts of modified iPhones, there is no shortage of comments claiming that, rather than being an original iPhone Air that was modified, the device is simply a clone meant to look exactly like Apple’s device.
Whatever the case may be, I’m still sticking to my original theory.
I “accidentally” bought an iPhone Pocket.
Disclaimer: Inspired by true events..near the end of November 2025.
My wife wanted to go visit her brother who just had a baby, and it’s quite a hike from Charlottesville, Virginia all the way to Paterson, New Jersey. I had to come back two days later for work, but we still managed to make a quick trip to New York City, four years after our last one. A great way to spend time with the wife and kids.
The trip was a selfless trip, all about them…
We’ve gone to the city many times, so it was my idea to try something different, a place more cultured, more “boutique,” with a different but still authentically New York City experience.
“Let’s go to SoHo.” I said. Plenty of things to see on the way there, and plenty of spots to get quick bites to eat. A little bit of Belgian fries with powdered parmesan, some Yemeni coffee, great architecture, and cobblestone streets that would bring tears of agony to any Ferrari owner. A world of cultures densely packed in one place.
A new experience for the kids with more cultural exposure. I’m serious…
A lot of the fun is just driving around in NYC, seeing how people interact, and how traffic rules gradually mean nothing the deeper you get inside. The craziest thing we saw before we even parked the car? A well-dressed man in hot pink wearing what looked like a beachcomber straw hat, wrestling with his dog who was upside-down, full monty view of its junk, all to try and tighten his dog vest so he doesn’t get cold.
Aaah, New York City.
For our family of six, the real challenge was walking, since the sidewalks are crowded, barely wide enough for a stroller, and one wrong step on an uneven sidewalk (a hallmark feature of NYC) could smash your head down a set of stairs right into an Italian bakery, no mob activity required.
Challenge #2 - finding a bathroom. It’s already impossible to find a bathroom in the city, but I heard you can go to an Apple Store and use the bathroom without being harassed to buy something. Perfect for the little ones. There happens to be an Apple Store in SoHo not too far from us, so we headed there to freshen up.
Wow what are the odds that there happens to be an Apple Store nearby? Crazy…
I was getting a sip of ice water from my Journey water bottle while standing near the iPhone booth, when my daughter bumped into me as she was making a beeline towards an iPad Pro. She jostled me enough to make me spill ice water all over my shirt and shoe. It’s one of those sneakers with perforated holes, so my sock was soaked.
It was a shock to my system as the iced part of my shirt velcroed itself to my chest, throwing off my reflexes. A cold shiver down my spine and drenched sock sent my brain into a frenzy and made me scream in horror.
It was like a scene from a Michael Jackson music video. I’m screaming, twitching from all the cold and shaking my leg, screaming:
“Oh my God it’s icey!”
“My yucky sock!”
Several of the Apple employees heard me, and well, they quickly rushed away which made me feel uncomfortable and self-conscious all of a sudden. Nobody else really batted an eye, because after all, it’s New York City.
I’m thinking those employees went to get a mop to clean up the mess, but they ended up coming back with an iPhone Pocket. I asked them, why did you bring me this?
“Well we thought you were so excited for the ISSEY MIYAKE sock* so we got you the last one in stock,” said the Specialist.
They mistook my expressions the wrong way.
“Umm, no” I said. “I was just expressing my feelings about how icey I felt, and how yucky my sock feels.”
Apparently the, “OMG it’s icey! My yucky sock!” sounds a lot like, “OMG it’s ISSEY MIYAKE sock!”
Still shivering from the wetness all over my torso, I grabbed my phone to call my wife so she can supervise the kids while I go clean myself up in the bathroom. My hand was shivering, and my quivering thumb accidentally tapped the Power Button twice instead of once activating Apple Pay. The employee with the iPhone Pocket noticed my Apple Pay screen, and tapped her little iPhone kiosk gizmo to my iPhone Air, completing the transaction.
Everything happened so fast…I don’t know if I got high off some weed fumes as we made our way to the Apple Store, but I was now the owner of an iPhone Pocket. Before I “accidentally” spend more money, I decided it was best to leave now that we have 5 empty bladders and a clean diaper.
In retrospect, it’s kind of crazy how I happened to end up in the only store in the USA that was selling the ISSEY MIYAKE iPhone Pocket, and they had it in stock.
TOTALLY didn’t expect that to happen.
———————————————————
*Actually how the events played out - I made a reservation that morning while in New Jersey and they had a few colors in stock at SoHo. Went there like a normal person (with family) and I said, “I’m here to pick up my iPhone Pocket.”
“Oh, we call it the sock,” said the employee.
No drama, no flair, but the Belgian fries and Yemeni coffee were real.
So was the man in hot pink.
It was a symbiotic affair where everyone in the family got something out of the trip.
Disclaimer: Inspired by true events..near the end of November 2025.
My wife wanted to go visit her brother who just had a baby, and it’s quite a hike from Charlottesville, Virginia all the way to Paterson, New Jersey. I had to come back two days later for work, but we still managed to make a quick trip to New York City, four years after our last one. A great way to spend time with the wife and kids.
The trip was a selfless trip, all about them…
We’ve gone to the city many times, so it was my idea to try something different, a place more cultured, more “boutique,” with a different but still authentically New York City experience.
“Let’s go to SoHo.” I said. Plenty of things to see on the way there, and plenty of spots to get quick bites to eat. A little bit of Belgian fries with powdered parmesan, some Yemeni coffee, great architecture, and cobblestone streets that would bring tears of agony to any Ferrari owner. A world of cultures densely packed in one place.
A new experience for the kids with more cultural exposure. I’m serious…
A lot of the fun is just driving around in NYC, seeing how people interact, and how traffic rules gradually mean nothing the deeper you get inside. The craziest thing we saw before we even parked the car? A well-dressed man in hot pink wearing what looked like a beachcomber straw hat, wrestling with his dog who was upside-down, full monty view of its junk, all to try and tighten his dog vest so he doesn’t get cold.
Aaah, New York City.
For our family of six, the real challenge was walking, since the sidewalks are crowded, barely wide enough for a stroller, and one wrong step on an uneven sidewalk (a hallmark feature of NYC) could smash your head down a set of stairs right into an Italian bakery, no mob activity required.
Challenge #2 - finding a bathroom. It’s already impossible to find a bathroom in the city, but I heard you can go to an Apple Store and use the bathroom without being harassed to buy something. Perfect for the little ones. There happens to be an Apple Store in SoHo not too far from us, so we headed there to freshen up.
Wow what are the odds that there happens to be an Apple Store nearby? Crazy…
I was getting a sip of ice water from my Journey water bottle while standing near the iPhone booth, when my daughter bumped into me as she was making a beeline towards an iPad Pro. She jostled me enough to make me spill ice water all over my shirt and shoe. It’s one of those sneakers with perforated holes, so my sock was soaked.
It was a shock to my system as the iced part of my shirt velcroed itself to my chest, throwing off my reflexes. A cold shiver down my spine and drenched sock sent my brain into a frenzy and made me scream in horror.
It was like a scene from a Michael Jackson music video. I’m screaming, twitching from all the cold and shaking my leg, screaming:
“Oh my God it’s icey!”
“My yucky sock!”
Several of the Apple employees heard me, and well, they quickly rushed away which made me feel uncomfortable and self-conscious all of a sudden. Nobody else really batted an eye, because after all, it’s New York City.
I’m thinking those employees went to get a mop to clean up the mess, but they ended up coming back with an iPhone Pocket. I asked them, why did you bring me this?
“Well we thought you were so excited for the ISSEY MIYAKE sock* so we got you the last one in stock,” said the Specialist.
They mistook my expressions the wrong way.
“Umm, no” I said. “I was just expressing my feelings about how icey I felt, and how yucky my sock feels.”
Apparently the, “OMG it’s icey! My yucky sock!” sounds a lot like, “OMG it’s ISSEY MIYAKE sock!”
Still shivering from the wetness all over my torso, I grabbed my phone to call my wife so she can supervise the kids while I go clean myself up in the bathroom. My hand was shivering, and my quivering thumb accidentally tapped the Power Button twice instead of once activating Apple Pay. The employee with the iPhone Pocket noticed my Apple Pay screen, and tapped her little iPhone kiosk gizmo to my iPhone Air, completing the transaction.
Everything happened so fast…I don’t know if I got high off some weed fumes as we made our way to the Apple Store, but I was now the owner of an iPhone Pocket. Before I “accidentally” spend more money, I decided it was best to leave now that we have 5 empty bladders and a clean diaper.
In retrospect, it’s kind of crazy how I happened to end up in the only store in the USA that was selling the ISSEY MIYAKE iPhone Pocket, and they had it in stock.
TOTALLY didn’t expect that to happen.
*Actually how the events played out - I made a reservation that morning while in New Jersey and they had a few colors in stock at SoHo. Went there like a normal person (with family) and I said, “I’m here to pick up my iPhone Pocket.”
“Oh, we call it the sock,” said the employee.
No drama, no flair, but the Belgian fries and Yemeni coffee were real.
So was the man in hot pink.
It was a symbiotic affair where everyone in the family got something out of the trip.
Apple’s “Can’t Decide” video plateaus at 79 million views.
I was tracking the view count sporadically the past 2 months:
11/10- 50 million
11/12- 52 million
11/13- 53 million
11/16 - 57 million
11/23 - 64 million
11/28 - 67 million
12/1 - 70 million
12/2 - 71 million
12/4 - 72 million
12/6 - 74 million
12/7 - 75 million
12/14 - 79 million
Still at 79 million on 1/8/26.
I was tracking the view count sporadically the past 2 months:
11/10- 50 million
11/12- 52 million
11/13- 53 million
11/16 - 57 million
11/23 - 64 million
11/28 - 67 million
12/1 - 70 million
12/2 - 71 million
12/4 - 72 million
12/6 - 74 million
12/7 - 75 million
12/14 - 79 million
Still at 79 million on 1/8/26.
iPhone Pocket vanishes from apple.com as if it never existed.
Clicking the link from their newsroom release article leads to this screen. No more grayed out sold out page like the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand.
Clicking the link from their newsroom release article leads to this screen. No more grayed out sold out page like the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand.