The iPhone’s Action Button needs more action.
The Power Button on iPhone current has 5 different actions:
Press and hold - activates Siri
Press once - locks the device
Press twice - activates Apple Pay
Press three times - activates your accessibility shortcut options
Press five times - activates the emergency SOS screen
The Action Button…currently has 1 action:
Press and hold - perform one action from the list provided
For a button called the Action Button, it really isn’t getting much action. I’m not asking for 5 functions because that would be a bit much, but at least give me a double and triple-press option. Ideally, I would set a double press as my “Shake” button because shaking the actual phone feels like I’m going to fling it across the room. I could use Back Tap and make a double tap or a triple tap turn ON the “shake” option, but I feel Back Tap gets activated too often unintentionally.
I like me some physical, reliable controls, and apparently so does Apple.
My ideal setup for the Action Button:
Press and hold - flashlight
Press twice - “shake” or undo function
Press three times - turn ON or OFF a home kit accessory
Just for reference, Apple Watch Ultra also has an Action Button, and it has 3 functions:
Press once - perform one action from the list provided
Press and hold for 2 seconds - select action from the list provided
Press and hold for 5 seconds - starts the countdown for the Siren.
The Power Button on iPhone current has 5 different actions:
Press and hold - activates Siri
Press once - locks the device
Press twice - activates Apple Pay
Press three times - activates your accessibility shortcut options
Press five times - activates the emergency SOS screen
The Action Button…currently has 1 action:
Press and hold - perform one action from the list provided
For a button called the Action Button, it really isn’t getting much action. I’m not asking for 5 functions because that would be a bit much, but at least give me a double and triple-press option. Ideally, I would set a double press as my “Shake” button because shaking the actual phone feels like I’m going to fling it across the room. I could use Back Tap and make a double tap or a triple tap turn ON the “shake” option, but I feel Back Tap gets activated too often unintentionally.
I like me some physical, reliable controls, and apparently so does Apple.
My ideal setup for the Action Button:
Press and hold - flashlight
Press twice - “shake” or undo function
Press three times - turn ON or OFF a home kit accessory
Just for reference, Apple Watch Ultra also has an Action Button, and it has 3 functions:
Press once - perform one action from the list provided
Press and hold for 2 seconds - select action from the list provided
Press and hold for 5 seconds - starts the countdown for the Siren.
The best take on Apple’s new AI tools in the Photos app.
Tyler Stalman on X:
When does a photo stop being a photo? Apple has been slow to adopt Al editing tools but at WWDC26 they dove in head first. They've always said that to them a photo is representation of a moment that really happened and these new tools built into the Photos app take a step away from that.
CLEANUP: It works great! Just like Photoshop's Generative Fill it's powerful, useful and leaves minimal digital artifacts, I love it. But as users become better able to seamlessly make major edits to personal photos, some kind of verification standard (like C2PA) becomes more important for Apple to support.
EXTEND: It works very well but this is a tool best left to third party apps. It completely invents huge areas of a scene, switching pants into shorts or adding people that don't exist. There are dozens of professional uses for that, like adding negative space for a design, but most of what we keep in the Photos app are memories and I believe Apple should always resist the temptation to allow casual users to meaningfully alter those memories without jumping through one or two hoops.
That said, it's incredibly useful for better fitting wallpaper images, or building out the corners of an image to straighten the horizon. I suggest Apple limit use in its non-pro apps to those features, and hand the powerful version of Extend over to the Photomator team.
REFRAME: It's a cool party trick, but I think it is a mistake to add it to the Photos app. It's like the end of The Prestige, or the Star Trek teleporter paradox. Even a small perspective adjustment means that the image is handed off to Private Cloud Compute, a new photo is generated that might look JUST LIKE your photo, but ultimately is now an Al generated image. Apple is great about protecting your data, so your original image is always preserved but I can just imagine a casual user excitedly going through and tweaking every image in their favourites album, only to regret it later (don't worry, you can always undo it).
And although the feature generally works well, a big camera move can significantly distort the subject.
Overall, I think Apple is withdrawing from the bank of trust that iPhone photo is always a true representation of what happened for relatively niche features. If I were on the Photos team, I would want to position the iPhone as the camera you can always trust. Google and Samsung can chase the wizbang features but I want iPhone photos to be the most trusted in the world, and we're gradually moving away from that.
That last paragraph is how I feel about AI photo editing for years; I didn’t think Apple would follow Google and Samsung and start tinkering with reality. Apple’s algorithms in Extend, Cleanup, and Reframe all work really well after having tested them myself, but there isn’t a single photo that I want to save because I know it’s not real.
The goal of photography was always to capture what the eye can see, not what the mind wants.
Tyler Stalman on X:
When does a photo stop being a photo? Apple has been slow to adopt Al editing tools but at WWDC26 they dove in head first. They've always said that to them a photo is representation of a moment that really happened and these new tools built into the Photos app take a step away from that.
CLEANUP: It works great! Just like Photoshop's Generative Fill it's powerful, useful and leaves minimal digital artifacts, I love it. But as users become better able to seamlessly make major edits to personal photos, some kind of verification standard (like C2PA) becomes more important for Apple to support.
EXTEND: It works very well but this is a tool best left to third party apps. It completely invents huge areas of a scene, switching pants into shorts or adding people that don't exist. There are dozens of professional uses for that, like adding negative space for a design, but most of what we keep in the Photos app are memories and I believe Apple should always resist the temptation to allow casual users to meaningfully alter those memories without jumping through one or two hoops.
That said, it's incredibly useful for better fitting wallpaper images, or building out the corners of an image to straighten the horizon. I suggest Apple limit use in its non-pro apps to those features, and hand the powerful version of Extend over to the Photomator team.
REFRAME: It's a cool party trick, but I think it is a mistake to add it to the Photos app. It's like the end of The Prestige, or the Star Trek teleporter paradox. Even a small perspective adjustment means that the image is handed off to Private Cloud Compute, a new photo is generated that might look JUST LIKE your photo, but ultimately is now an Al generated image. Apple is great about protecting your data, so your original image is always preserved but I can just imagine a casual user excitedly going through and tweaking every image in their favourites album, only to regret it later (don't worry, you can always undo it).
And although the feature generally works well, a big camera move can significantly distort the subject.
Overall, I think Apple is withdrawing from the bank of trust that iPhone photo is always a true representation of what happened for relatively niche features. If I were on the Photos team, I would want to position the iPhone as the camera you can always trust. Google and Samsung can chase the wizbang features but I want iPhone photos to be the most trusted in the world, and we're gradually moving away from that.
That last paragraph is how I feel about AI photo editing for years; I didn’t think Apple would follow Google and Samsung and start tinkering with reality. Apple’s algorithms in Extend, Cleanup, and Reframe all work really well after having tested them myself, but there isn’t a single photo that I want to save because I know it’s not real.
The goal of photography was always to capture what the eye can see, not what the mind wants.
Wall Street Journal does some math on iPhone 18 Pro pricing, and everyone else is using clickbaity headlines to get more traffic.
Interesting analysis and visuals from WSJ (gift link) that says the iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,299, but what would make a better headline? How about an iPhone 18 Pro that starts at $1,399 instead because that gets more clicks.
Interesting analysis and visuals from WSJ (gift link) that says the iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,299, but what would make a better headline? How about an iPhone 18 Pro that starts at $1,399 instead because that gets more clicks.
iPhone feature request: true home screen customization.
I wrote about this passionately over a year ago, but it is still a feature that we’re missing and on my wish list for iOS. We got full icon home screen customization with iOS 18, but we’re still missing full widget customization:
We have been waiting 18 years to move our apps wherever we want to in iOS, and now we have complete app freedom.
After all, it took a new generation of engineers to make this happen.
Developers had to be born first, in order to handle the complexities of moving the icons from the top, to the bottom, per Craig Federighi himself.
Truly a remarkable feat.
Unfortunately, we may need to wait for another batch of engineers to be born to fix the widget situation.
All jokes aside, Apple states we can place widgets where we want them, but that is not the case.
Apple’s claim:
Place your apps and widgets right where you want them. Arrange them along the bottom for quicker reach, or off to the side to frame a favorite wallpaper. Or give each page of your Home Screen a unique layout that's most helpful for you.
Full visuals in the original link.
I wrote about this passionately over a year ago, but it is still a feature that we’re missing and on my wish list for iOS. We got full icon home screen customization with iOS 18, but we’re still missing full widget customization:
We have been waiting 18 years to move our apps wherever we want to in iOS, and now we have complete app freedom.
After all, it took a new generation of engineers to make this happen.
Developers had to be born first, in order to handle the complexities of moving the icons from the top, to the bottom, per Craig Federighi himself.
Truly a remarkable feat.
Unfortunately, we may need to wait for another batch of engineers to be born to fix the widget situation.
All jokes aside, Apple states we can place widgets where we want them, but that is not the case.
Apple’s claim:
Place your apps and widgets right where you want them. Arrange them along the bottom for quicker reach, or off to the side to frame a favorite wallpaper. Or give each page of your Home Screen a unique layout that's most helpful for you.
Full visuals in the original link.
A case maker might have leaked the final iPhone Ultra camera plateau design.
John from OpenCase released his weekly newsletter, and he had some interesting things to say, along with an image showing a case with an opening for a full-length camera plateau:
We are hitting that time in the season where our manufacturer starts sending us images of possible cases that "might" come out late in the year to possibly fit a phone(s) that might exist then. Does this look like it might fit a phone that folds? Hard to say, maybe;) But it sure is interesting to see. 📓
iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro have camera plateaus that take up the whole width of the phone, but the iPhone Ultra leaks from MaxTech and MajinBu, two reputable sources, show a plateau that is roughly two-thirds as big as the total width of the device when folded.
A new photo shows a different plateau that takes up the whole width of the device, allowing for more components to be tucked away underneath. John from OpenCase released his weekly newsletter, and he had some interesting things to say, along with an image showing a case with an opening for a full-length camera plateau:
The camera plateau expands the full-width of this new “alleged” device.
The leaks usually are more accurate as the release date gets closer, and coming from an actual iPhone case maker that makes high quality cases makes this even more believable.
iPhone Air 7 months later - why you should buy one.
You leave your house and you realize you forgot something - your phone. You can tell it’s missing due to the comfort you feel in your trousers. There’s no feeling of a brick a few inches away from your crotch, so surely you forgot your phone.
Except you didn’t. When you turn around to go back inside to grab your phone, you realize with a silly grin on your face, “Oh wait, I didn’t forget my phone. It’s just so damn thin that I didn’t realize it is in my pocket.”
This is the joy of owning an iPhone Air. It’s like waking up on a Saturday morning thinking you have to go to work, but then remembering it’s Saturday, your day off. The tranquility and joy you feel overcomes you as you plop back down in bed and snooze for another few hours. As a famous thinker once said:
Joy is more joyous when it’s preceded by anxiety.1
Owning the iPhone Air has been a privilege, and it provides a great experience every single time I hold the device. I believe it is a worthy device, and one with potential to gain more traction in the Fall of 2026.
Design and culture
The iPhone Air might not be the best value for the buck, but when it comes to design, feel, and premium looks, it’s $999 starting price tag is justified. The iPhone Air is once again more than just a technological marvel. It is a call back to Apple of yore - when they had a cult status that was not for the masses. Quirky, limited, but immense joy and satisfaction. Ironically, the more expensive iPhone Pro lineup has become more ubiquitous, but those that still crave a beautiful experience, great performance, and exclusivity can still get that feeling with iPhone Air. Apple took a risk with this device, and I think it provides more value and inspires more confidence in the company that is willing to not play it safe.
The front of all phones look the same, but the back of this phone really does take your breath away. It isn’t really the back as much as it is the polished shiny sides and buttons that contrast with the muted, matte back glass. The camera plateau is also simplified, giving it an elegance and simplicity that makes it the best looking iPhone in years, with the iPhone 17e being a close second. The 17e takes minimalism to another level with no plateau and a single camera lens being the only thing stopping the 17e from being a flush device.
Speakers…um speaker
The speaker on iPhone Air gives you quite a bang considering its thin profile, and to be honest is more than adequate. Let’s be realistic - the target audience for the iPhone Air is more than likely to have some sort of wireless headphones, but even if they forget their wireless headphones, the single speaker works just fine in most scenarios. The only time where it was not adequate for me was in loud environments, and that’s par for the course for any smartphone.
The speaker is also in the top earpiece, meaning it is a front facing speaker. There is no way to accidentally cup your hand and block the sound like it would be on the bottom speaker of every other iPhone.
Cameras…um camera
The single rear camera performs great in most scenarios for what it is, and actually has a closer focusing distance than the iPhone 17 Pro’s main camera. Of course the 17 and 17 Pro have an ultra wide lens, which will be superior for close up shots. I do miss macro shots, but I don’t miss the distortion you get from the ultra wide. I do miss the telephoto lens as well, but it is a compromise I was willing to make. You’re buying the two-door convertible, not the 8-passenger SUV. A side benefit - you don’t have to deal with the phone auto-switching between the ultra wide and wide camera lenses when getting close to a subject.
Apple did excel with the 18MP Center Stage front facing camera, and I believe this camera will be used more than the rear camera. The front facing camera is the ultimate selfie camera, and leads to great group shots with friends and family. As a parent, no longer do you have to be the designated photographer. You can be part of the shot and frame it just right. These group photos end up being more memorable than landscape photos devoid of human joy and affection.
Battery life
It shouldn’t be a surprise that a thinner phone will have worse battery life. What is surprising though, is iPhone Air has the same battery life as iPhone 16 Pro. If you were fine with the battery life of the smaller iPhones in the past few years, you’ll be fine with iPhone Air, and will have a bigger display for it. This is even less of an issue if you have what I call great phone hygiene, planning ahead and charge your device on time.
Fast charging is a huge plus and a necessity on a device like this, and thankfully we get that:
Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with USB-C charging cable, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger (both available separately).
The other thing we should all be thinking about when it comes to battery life is the idea of using your phone less. Every single one of us uses their phone more than ever before, and that increased usage will naturally lead to worse battery life. Battery life may be an issue for road warriors, but once again if that’s you, you have solutions and battery banks in hand to be prepared.
What I’m trying to say is, do we really need more battery life, or is the real problem our overconsumption?
Durability
My iPhone Air has been case-less since day 1, and I have dropped my phone a handful of times. Most of these drops are from 3 feet or less, but I never had to worry about any dents because it is made out of titanium, not aluminum. Ceramic Shield 2 is also great and the screen is still flawless after 7 months. I would be nervous dropping a 17e, 17, or 17 Pro due to its softer body that is more prone to dents and scratches. Absolutely no issues here.
Performance
For most regular tasks, this phone handles them without any hiccups or issues. You will not notice any lag or slowdowns. It is as Pro as an iPhone can be. I don’t play intense games on my phones so I couldn’t tell you the experience, but if you are a mobile gamer, you would be better off with an iPhone 17 Pro that has much better cooling with its stainless steel vapor chamber. If you’re the average iPhone user, this phone won’t disappoint from a performance point of view. If you’re a content creator and you need every ounce of performance, you already know this isn’t for you.
Display
I would call the 6.5-inch display on iPhone Air the Goldilocks size - not too small, not too big, just right. Apple might have been forced into this size as well due to the camera plateau housing the brains of the device, and the space for the battery also had to be large enough to make sure they achieve “All Day Battery Life.” They couldn’t go smaller, and going bigger would take away from the thinness aspect, so the perfect size was the only size.
Should you buy one?
The great thing about iPhone Air is that there aren’t any unpleasant surprises. You know battery life will be a challenge, and you know extensive gaming will be a challenge, both from a thermal and battery life standpoint. You also know there is a single rear camera, with no deceptive black circles that give it the illusion of having additional cameras. Everything is spelled out front and center. When you go in with these expectations, you know the sacrifices you are making, and the value spectrum for this device leans more heavily towards the visceral experience.
It’s not about numbers and facts, but about touch and feel. Many decisions we make are illogical and are based on personal preference, and if your heart is speaking towards the iPhone Air, you won’t be disappointed. The 17 Pro is a Tim Cook iPhone - a safe choice, an efficient device, and meets all the numbers. After all, Tim Cook is a numbers guy, but I’m pretty damn sure Steve Jobs, a visionary, and John Ternus, a hardware engineer, would go iPhone Air.
1 - OK, OK, I made that up myself.
You leave your house and you realize you forgot something - your phone. You can tell it’s missing due to the comfort you feel in your trousers. There’s no feeling of a brick a few inches away from your crotch, so surely you forgot your phone.
Except you didn’t. When you turn around to go back inside to grab your phone, you realize with a silly grin on your face, “Oh wait, I didn’t forget my phone. It’s just so damn thin that I didn’t realize it is in my pocket.”
This is the joy of owning an iPhone Air. It’s like waking up on a Saturday morning thinking you have to go to work, but then remembering it’s Saturday, your day off. The tranquility and joy you feel overcomes you as you plop back down in bed and snooze for another few hours. As a famous thinker once said:
Joy is more joyous when it’s preceded by anxiety.1
Owning the iPhone Air has been a privilege, and it provides a great experience every single time I hold the device. I believe it is a worthy device, and one with potential to gain more traction in the Fall of 2026.
Design and culture
The iPhone Air might not be the best value for the buck, but when it comes to design, feel, and premium looks, it’s $999 starting price tag is justified. The iPhone Air is once again more than just a technological marvel. It is a call back to Apple of yore - when they had a cult status that was not for the masses. Quirky, limited, but immense joy and satisfaction. Ironically, the more expensive iPhone Pro lineup has become more ubiquitous, but those that still crave a beautiful experience, great performance, and exclusivity can still get that feeling with iPhone Air. Apple took a risk with this device, and I think it provides more value and inspires more confidence in the company that is willing to not play it safe.
The front of all phones look the same, but the back of this phone really does take your breath away. It isn’t really the back as much as it is the polished shiny sides and buttons that contrast with the muted, matte back glass. The camera plateau is also simplified, giving it an elegance and simplicity that makes it the best looking iPhone in years, with the iPhone 17e being a close second. The 17e takes minimalism to another level with no plateau and a single camera lens being the only thing stopping the 17e from being a flush device.
Speakers…um speaker
The speaker on iPhone Air gives you quite a bang considering its thin profile, and to be honest is more than adequate. Let’s be realistic - the target audience for the iPhone Air is more than likely to have some sort of wireless headphones, but even if they forget their wireless headphones, the single speaker works just fine in most scenarios. The only time where it was not adequate for me was in loud environments, and that’s par for the course for any smartphone.
The speaker is also in the top earpiece, meaning it is a front facing speaker. There is no way to accidentally cup your hand and block the sound like it would be on the bottom speaker of every other iPhone.
Cameras…um camera
The single rear camera performs great in most scenarios for what it is, and actually has a closer focusing distance than the iPhone 17 Pro’s main camera. Of course the 17 and 17 Pro have an ultra wide lens, which will be superior for close up shots. I do miss macro shots, but I don’t miss the distortion you get from the ultra wide. I do miss the telephoto lens as well, but it is a compromise I was willing to make. You’re buying the two-door convertible, not the 8-passenger SUV. A side benefit - you don’t have to deal with the phone auto-switching between the ultra wide and wide camera lenses when getting close to a subject.
Apple did excel with the 18MP Center Stage front facing camera, and I believe this camera will be used more than the rear camera. The front facing camera is the ultimate selfie camera, and leads to great group shots with friends and family. As a parent, no longer do you have to be the designated photographer. You can be part of the shot and frame it just right. These group photos end up being more memorable than landscape photos devoid of human joy and affection.
Battery life
It shouldn’t be a surprise that a thinner phone will have worse battery life. What is surprising though, is iPhone Air has the same battery life as iPhone 16 Pro. If you were fine with the battery life of the smaller iPhones in the past few years, you’ll be fine with iPhone Air, and will have a bigger display for it. This is even less of an issue if you have what I call great phone hygiene, planning ahead and charge your device on time.
Fast charging is a huge plus and a necessity on a device like this, and thankfully we get that:
Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with USB-C charging cable, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger (both available separately).
The other thing we should all be thinking about when it comes to battery life is the idea of using your phone less. Every single one of us uses their phone more than ever before, and that increased usage will naturally lead to worse battery life. Battery life may be an issue for road warriors, but once again if that’s you, you have solutions and battery banks in hand to be prepared.
What I’m trying to say is, do we really need more battery life, or is the real problem our overconsumption?
Durability
My iPhone Air has been case-less since day 1, and I have dropped my phone a handful of times. Most of these drops are from 3 feet or less, but I never had to worry about any dents because it is made out of titanium, not aluminum. Ceramic Shield 2 is also great and the screen is still flawless after 7 months. I would be nervous dropping a 17e, 17, or 17 Pro due to its softer body that is more prone to dents and scratches. Absolutely no issues here.
Performance
For most regular tasks, this phone handles them without any hiccups or issues. You will not notice any lag or slowdowns. It is as Pro as an iPhone can be. I don’t play intense games on my phones so I couldn’t tell you the experience, but if you are a mobile gamer, you would be better off with an iPhone 17 Pro that has much better cooling with its stainless steel vapor chamber. If you’re the average iPhone user, this phone won’t disappoint from a performance point of view. If you’re a content creator and you need every ounce of performance, you already know this isn’t for you.
Display
I would call the 6.5-inch display on iPhone Air the Goldilocks size - not too small, not too big, just right. Apple might have been forced into this size as well due to the camera plateau housing the brains of the device, and the space for the battery also had to be large enough to make sure they achieve “All Day Battery Life.” They couldn’t go smaller, and going bigger would take away from the thinness aspect, so the perfect size was the only size.
Should you buy one?
The great thing about iPhone Air is that there aren’t any unpleasant surprises. You know battery life will be a challenge, and you know extensive gaming will be a challenge, both from a thermal and battery life standpoint. You also know there is a single rear camera, with no deceptive black circles that give it the illusion of having additional cameras. Everything is spelled out front and center. When you go in with these expectations, you know the sacrifices you are making, and the value spectrum for this device leans more heavily towards the visceral experience.
It’s not about numbers and facts, but about touch and feel. Many decisions we make are illogical and are based on personal preference, and if your heart is speaking towards the iPhone Air, you won’t be disappointed. The 17 Pro is a Tim Cook iPhone - a safe choice, an efficient device, and meets all the numbers. After all, Tim Cook is a numbers guy, but I’m pretty damn sure Steve Jobs, a visionary, and John Ternus, a hardware engineer, would go iPhone Air.
1 - OK, OK, I made that up myself.
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.