ZDNET’s key takeaways
- New iPhones and Apple Watches are inbound.
- New AirPods Pro and HomeHub hardware are also rumored.
- Expect pricing tweaks to offset tariff costs.
It’s August, and that means we’re now in the home stretch to Apple’s biggest yearly update. New iPhones are weeks away, and it’s likely we’ll see new Apple Watches, and possibly new AirPods Pro and a HomeHub device.
Also: The best Apple deals right now: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, and more
For the savvy buyer, this situation means that there are a lot more items on the “don’t buy” list than usual. But fear not, as this guide will ensure you don’t spend your money on something outdated in a few weeks.
Tariffs and trade wars
Tariffs still dominate the news. One moment they’re on, next they’re off, then they’re on again with a list of ifs, buts, and exceptions that may or may not stick around.
CNET: Tracking tariff prices: See how the new tariffs are hitting these 11 popular products
According to Apple’s July 31 earnings call, tariffs have cost the company approximately $800 million for the last quarter, with this figure expected to rise to $1.1 billion for the current quarter. So far, Apple is shouldering that burden.
So far.
Upcoming Apple products to keep an eye on (near and far)
1. AirPods Pro update
I love my AirPods Pro, and if the rumors are correct, and the updated hardware gets heart rate and temperature tracking, and possibly live translation, then I have to say that I’ll be at the front of the queue to get new buds.
2. M5 Chip
It feels like the M4 processor in the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air is still new. However, the M5 chip is already on the horizon. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in the Power On newsletter, the M5 will be in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro later this year, most likely in the fall.
3. Apple TV
It’s coming, we’re just not sure when. The device is rumored to use Apple’s new networking chip, adding support for Wi-Fi 6E, and will be powered by the A15 chip, opening the door to Apple Intelligence features.
4. AirTag Update
I’m a massive AirTag fan, and since Apple released them, the market has exploded with third-party offerings. While only Apple can offer precision finding, there are now smaller, thinner, and even rechargeable finder tags.
Also: How to find out if an AirTag is tracking you – and what to do about it
The new AirTags are expected to use a new Ultra Wideband chip, bringing improved range and accuracy. Apple is also allegedly making the speaker more difficult to disable, serving as a countermeasure to prevent tags from being used to stalk people.
Given how easily AirTags can be modified and how they can even be purchased pre-modified, this update will be a welcome change.
The ‘don’t buy’ list
You should give these Apple devices a pass for now, as we’ll likely see refreshed versions soon:
- iPhones: New models will arrive September/October, so unless you don’t mind running old hardware in a few weeks, hold off buying for now. The only exception here is the iPhone 16e that launched in March.
- Apple Watch: It’s likely new hardware will drop alongside the refreshed iPhone, so hold for now.
- Apple TV: Last updated in October 2022, this device is due for a refresh. Rumors suggest a fourth-gen Apple TV 4K will be announced soon.
- HomePod Mini: Released in October 2020, this is officially Apple’s oldest product. While there’s nothing technically wrong with the device, it’s hard to recommend paying full price for such old hardware.
- Vision Pro: It’s hard to bet against Apple, and it’s tough to put something with so much potential on the naughty list. However, if rumors are true that Apple will halt production because sales have slumped, it’s hard to have faith in the product. I’d hold out and see what Apple has planned. Current rumors point to a 2026 refresh.
The ‘do buy’ list
These Apple devices are worth springing for now, since it’ll be a while before we see significant hardware upgrades.
1. iPhone 16e
This is Apple’s newest entry-level iPhone, replacing the iPhone SE line. This is a handset cut back to the bare minimum — packing an A18 processor, Face ID biometrics, USB-C charging, and a single-lens rear camera.
2. iPad and iPad Air
The iPad Air, kitted out with the M3 chip, received a refresh in March. Prices start at $599 for the 11-inch version and $799 for the 13-inch version. At the time, the iPad also got a performance boost thanks to the A16 chip. Prices for this tablet start at $350.
3. MacBook Air
Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air laptops got an upgrade in March 2025 to the 10-core CPU/10-core GPU M4 processor, and battery life is boosted to as much as 18 hours. Prices start at $999, but you can push the cost to $2,399 with upgrades.
4. Mac Studio
Apple’s pro-grade alternative to the Mac mini also saw a serious processing boost in March 2025, with the M4 Max and M3 Ultra offered in a range of configurations. Prices start at $1,999 but can reach $14,099 for a fully tricked-out system.
5. Apple iMac
The M4 iMac received a refresh to bring it up to speed with Apple Intelligence in October 2024. With specs ranging from an eight-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage priced at $1,299, all the way up to a 10-core CPU and GPU, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,899, there’s an iMac to suit most workloads and budgets.
6. Apple Mac Mini
Apple’s smallest Mac got an upgrade in October 2024 to the M4 and M4 Pro processors. It’s also the cheapest Mac you can buy, as a Mac Mini with the 10-core CPU and GPU model, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage costs only $599.
7. Apple iPad Mini
The 2024 iPad Mini was introduced in October 2024, replacing the three-year-old model with one powered by an A17 Pro chip that’s Apple Intelligence-ready. The device comes in a range of colors, blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, and multiple storage capacities: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Prices range from $499 to $799.
Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.
