After spending quality time with the Treblab HD-360 Pro, I’ve come to appreciate what this Bluetooth speaker represents: excellent audio that’s good enough for home use but just happens to be wireless for portability — unlike Apple’s excellent-but-limited HomePod 2.

In a market saturated with speakers that promise much but deliver mediocrity, HD-360 Pro stands out by focusing on what matters most — genuine audio quality backed by serious hardware. And at roughly half the price of great home speakers like HomePod 2 but with the option of portability, it’s worth considering, depending on what you want in a speaker. 

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Treblab HD-360 Pro speaker review

Powerful sound on the go

Treblab HD-360 Pro wireless speaker

$128.18

For home or outdoor use, Treblab's high-tech Bluetooth speaker features 360 surround sound and a 90-watt, five-driver system with subwoofer and eight bass radiators. Pair it with a second one for true stereo sound.

Pros:

• 360-degree sound with big bass
• 22-hour battery-powered portability
• Universal Bluetooth compatibility
• IPX4 water resistance
• USB-C charging

Cons:

• Heavy, with no carrying handle
• Touch controls can be unresponsive
• No smart assistant or app control
• Glass top panel vulnerable to damage

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Treblab

05/28/2026 02:14 am GMT

This is a hands-on review of Treblab HD-360 Pro wireless portable speaker, not strictly a comparison of it to the excellent HomePod 2 wired smart speaker. That would be a bit too much of an apples-and-oranges thing. But some comparisons are hard to resist because they’re similar in several ways. So while it might seem odd to compare the portable Treblab to the decidedly not portable HomePod, it’s not crazy.

To name a few examples of similarities, the speakers take almost the same size and shape, offer high-quality Spatial Audio, and can be paired with another speaker for true stereo sound. So they’re both good for home use. But Treblab’s speaker features the option of portability and outdoor use. After that, most of the differences focus on compatibility that is narrow (HomePod) versus broad (Treblab), price that is low (Treblab) versus high (HomePod) and a few feature differences. Take your pick of what matters to you.

Table of contents: Treblab HD-360 Pro speaker review

• Design and build quality
• The portability advantage
• Audio performance
• Sound quality compared to premium home speakers
• Connectivity and features
• Ecosystem lock-in dilemma
• Practical use cases
• Value proposition
• Limitations
• Final verdict

Design and build quality

HD-360 Pro has a wide cylindrical shape, with the lower two-thirds comprising a metal shell with four vertically oblong cut-outs that showcase the bass radiators. Featuring a premium aluminum body, this speaker immediately communicates durability and thoughtful construction.

The upper third of the speaker is wrapped in a mesh fabric and complemented with a touch display at the top. While the glass control panel is aesthetically pleasing with subtle Treblab branding, I found the touch-based controls can be annoying to use, sometimes requiring multiple taps to respond from sleep mode.

At 5.72 pounds, HD-360 Pro has substantial heft. The lack of a handle ensures a cleaner aesthetic but makes the speaker particularly challenging to carry with one hand. I found myself gripping it by the radiator cutouts when moving it around, which works but isn’t ideal. The speaker’s dimensions are H 5.79 x W 5.79 x D 7.68 inches, making it compact enough for most spaces without sacrificing audio performance.

The portability advantage

Here’s where HD-360 Pro fundamentally differs from HomePod 2 and other premium home speakers, and it’s a distinction worth emphasizing: genuine portability.

HomePod and HomePod mini lack built-in batteries and need a constant power supply plugged into an outlet to work. While you can purchase third-party battery bases for the HomePod mini, these are aftermarket solutions that add bulk and expense.

In contrast, HD-360 Pro features a built-in 12000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery providing up to 22 hours of continuous play. During my testing, I consistently achieved over 16 hours of playback at moderate volumes — more than enough for a full day outdoors, a backyard party or a weekend camping trip.

The portability advantage is transformative. I’ve taken HD-360 Pro to my balcony for morning coffee and could bring it to my condo complex’s pool, if it didn’t just close for the season (and if I were that guy, forcing others to listen to his music). The speaker goes anywhere with needing outlets or extension cords. The IPX4 waterproof durability allows the speaker to withstand splashes and light rain, making it suitable for outdoor use that would be impossible with a HomePod.

HD-360 Pro also supports continuous playback while charging for uninterrupted sound wherever you go, offering flexibility home speakers can’t match. But all of that said, HD-360 Pro isn’t the most portable speaker, by any means. At its size, shape and weight, it really needs a handle. 

Audio performance

HD-360 Pro’s specifications read impressively on paper: 90W peak audio with 5 drivers and 8 bass radiators for 360-degree surround sound. But specs mean nothing without execution, and this is where Treblab delivers.

The 360-degree orientation of the drivers along with the radiators leads to a booming sound that belies its size. The soundstage is genuinely immersive, filling rooms evenly without the directional sweet spots that plague conventional speakers. Whether you’re sitting directly in front or off to the side, the audio quality remains consistent.

The sound is clean and balanced — at least when the Balanced and 3D modes are on. I found myself gravitating toward the 3D mode most often. When the 3D mode is turned on, the expanded soundstage effect is subtle, but when turned off, the audio feels a little claustrophobic.

It is a bit bass-heavy, but not so much that it bleeds into the rest of the frequencies. The bass radiators deliver impressive low-end punch without overwhelming the mids and highs. I appreciated the depth without muddiness in bass-heavy tunes. The bass mode exists for those who want extra emphasis, though I found it unnecessary for most genres.

Sound quality compared to premium home speakers

HomePod 2 is undeniably an excellent speaker. And it sounds better than ever with a high-excursion woofer at the top and five tweeters at the bottom. Reviews consistently praise its amazing bass response and phenomenally good sound when paired with Apple Music.

However, HomePod 2 isn’t always stellar. It can sound bass-heavy at times, with piano on the thin side, somewhat nasally vocals and poorly defined or unfocused strings — all possible consequences of a 360-degree sound dispersion design.

HD-360 Pro handles mid-range frequencies and vocals with excellent clarity. While HomePod 2 excels in computational audio and room adaptation technology, HD-360 Pro’s straightforward driver configuration produces a more consistent, predictable sound profile that many listeners may prefer.

Both speakers support stereo pairing. HD-360 Pro allows pairing two speakers for stereo sound with intuitive touch controls. And with a pair of HomePods, you can enjoy true stereo sound providing clear and detailed audio separation.

However, purchasing two HomePods costs up to about $600, while two HD-360 Pros run around $300 — a significant savings.

Connectivity and features

HD-360 Pro uses Bluetooth 5.0 and delivers on the promise of fast pairing and dependable connection. Within its 33-foot range, the connection holds steady through walls, across rooms, and even outdoors where interference can easily become an issue. I experienced no noticeable lag during video playback, which is crucial for streaming content.

NFC pairing is included, making initial setup even quicker by placing your NFC-enabled phone on top of the speaker for a few seconds.

HD-360 Pro charges via USB-C with fast recharge capabilities within 2 hours. Having USB-C is a major convenience in 2025, allowing me to use the same cable that charges my phone and laptop.

Ecosystem lock-in dilemma

Here’s where the portability advantage extends beyond just having a battery: universal compatibility. HomePod 2 is heavily geared towards music in the Apple ecosystem. It connects via Wi-Fi and Apple’s AirPlay 2, with no Bluetooth, aux-in or other way to get audio into it. Android devices are left in the cold with the HomePod.

HD-360 Pro works with any Bluetooth-enabled device — iPhones, Android phones, tablets, Windows laptops and more. This flexibility makes it genuinely portable not just physically, but across your entire device ecosystem. There’s no vendor lock-in, no requirement for specific apps and no ecosystem prerequisites.

Practical use cases

• For outdoor enthusiasts: HD-360 Pro’s 22-hour battery life and IPX4 waterproof rating make it ideal for camping trips, beach days or backyard barbecues. HomePod simply cannot accompany you on these adventures.
• For multi-room audio at home: While both speakers support multi-room functionality, HD-360 better suits home and garden use than outdoor adventures away from home due to its weight. However, its portability means you can easily relocate it as needed without rewiring or finding new outlets.
• For home theater: HomePod 2 works really well with Apple TV 4K and supports Dolby Atmos, offering an impressively detailed, room-filling immersive sound system. HD-360 Pro cannot match this tight Apple ecosystem integration, though it works fine as a standard Bluetooth speaker for TV audio.
• For mixed-device households: If your household uses both Android and iOS devices, or if guests frequently connect their devices to your speaker, HD-360 Pro’s universal Bluetooth compatibility is invaluable.

Value proposition

At approximately $149.99 (though often discounted to $127 or so), HD-360 Pro costs roughly half the $299 list price of HomePod 2.

For that roughly $150 price difference, you’re sacrificing Siri integration, Apple ecosystem features and computational room adaptation. What you gain is genuine portability with 22-hour battery life, universal device compatibility, IPX4 water resistance and sound quality that’s comparable, and even superior in some frequencies, to some ears.

HD-360 Pro delivers serious performance for listeners who demand more than just loud sound. If you prioritize pure audio quality and flexibility over smart home integration, the value proposition is compelling.

Limitations

• Touch controls: The touch panel sometimes requires multiple taps before responding from a sleep state, which can be frustrating.
• Weight without handle: At 5.72 pounds without a built-in handle, the speaker is challenging to carry with one hand. That makes it less portable than lighter Bluetooth speakers.
• No smart assistant: Unlike HomePod’s Siri integration, HD-360 Pro offers basic speakerphone functionality but no voice assistant. It’s not a smart speaker replacement.
• Limited water resistance: IPX4 allows use around water but doesn’t have protection against submergence. Don’t drop this in the pool.

Treblab HD-360 Pro speaker review: Final verdict

HD-360 Pro is not trying to be everything to everyone. It’s a speaker built for people who actually care about sound and want depth, not just volume.

If you’re deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, use Apple Music exclusively, and want smart home integration with Siri, HomePod 2 remains the better choice — assuming you don’t need to use your speaker anywhere beyond arm’s reach of an outlet.

However, if you value true portability, universal compatibility and excellent sound quality at half the price, Treblab HD-360 Pro is a winner.

HD-360 Pro succeeds by refusing to compromise on what matters most: delivering outstanding audio in a genuinely portable package that works with any device you own. That’s not just a feature advantage over speakers like HomePod 2. It’s a fundamentally different philosophy of what a wireless speaker should be.

Powerful sound on the go

Treblab HD-360 Pro wireless speaker

$128.18

For home or outdoor use, Treblab's high-tech Bluetooth speaker features 360 surround sound and a 90-watt, five-driver system with subwoofer and eight bass radiators. Pair it with a second one for true stereo sound.

Pros:

• 360-degree sound with big bass
• 22-hour battery-powered portability
• Universal Bluetooth compatibility
• IPX4 water resistance
• USB-C charging

Cons:

• Heavy, with no carrying handle
• Touch controls can be unresponsive
• No smart assistant or app control
• Glass top panel vulnerable to damage

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Treblab

05/28/2026 02:14 am GMT

Best smart speaker for Apple fans

HomePod (2nd generation)

$279 $299

The powerhouse smart speaker features Apple‑engineered audio technology and advanced software to project high‑fidelity sound throughout the room. It adapts to what it's playing, and where it's placed, to surround you with immersive audio.

Pros:

• Excellent audio, especially in stereo pairs
• Great with Apple ecosystem

Cons:

• More expensive than the competition

Buy from B&H

Buy from Best Buy

★★★★☆

Treblab provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items. 

M. Night Shyamalan’s wonderfully dark series Servant is the creepiest horror show on Apple TV. The engrossing show, about a supernatural nanny with designs on an upper-class Philadelphia power couple and their missing baby, shines thanks to an amazing array of directorial talent and some fantastic on-screen presences.

Here’s why you should watch all four seasons of this runaway freight train of a show.

Servant is the best horror show on Apple TV (or maybe any streaming service)

Created by British TV writer Tony Basgallop, Servant follows a young woman named Leanne (played by Nell Tiger Free) who comes to the Turner family in their hour of need. When we meet Dorothy Turner (Lauren Ambrose), she has lost her son Jericho and has taken to believing a reborn doll is her boy.

Her husband, Sean (Toby Kebbell), and brother Julian (Rupert Grint) don’t want to upset Dorothy any more. So they hire Leanne to take care of the “baby.” But that’s only the beginning of the weirdness on one of the most compulsively watchable shows in the Apple TV streaming catalog.

Here are three reasons to watch this sophisticated horror show on Apple TV.

1. A raft of unbelievably fine performances

Watching Servant is like watching a competition for the most delirious, wonderfully weird performance a half-hour of TV can contain. There’s Toby Kebbell‘s attempt to drive Sean into pure affectlessness. Rupert Grint‘s deeply endearing spin on an impulsive city-born mutant. Lauren Ambrose‘s knowingly bug-eyed turn as a woman for whom the ordinary course of life has been reversed. And Nell Tiger Free‘s increasingly domineering performance as the once doe-eyed Leanne.

And then there are special guests Barbara Sukowa and Boris McGiver, who show up to play slavering cult members. All told, Servant is a banquet of tics, twitches, glares and outburts.

2. A solid serving of folk horror

The nature of Servant’s horror is a shape-shifting thing. Leanne may or may not be some kind of witch. Her cult may or may not control things beyond the natural. And there might be killers lurking around every corner.

The show’s imagery pays fleeting but charming homage to the likes of The Wicker Man, Witchhammer and Mark of the Devil, from flower-festooned zealots to medieval torture, from bloodletting to incantations. Servant is never explicit about what Leanne and her followers and captors believe, but the hints are tantalizing and keep the audience on edge.

3. The best photography on television

With M. Night Shyamalan at his peak writing the show’s playbook, Servant was bound to be stunningly and creepily photographed. He seems to have given his directing staff (a deep bench that includes Nimród Antal, John Dahl, Kitty Green and, in her impressive debut, his daughter Ishana Shyamalan) one simple directive: Shoot this like it’s the spookiest and most effective erotic psychological thriller in history.

The camera swivels, flips, spies, glides, floats and sees impossible things that keep the viewer unsettled. The effect is that we constantly feel like we’re peeping through a hole in a wall, seeing something we shouldn’t. It’s a remarkable team effort that gave us some of the most indelible images of the last five years.

Watch all 4 seasons of Servant, the finest horror show on Apple TV

You can watch all four seasons of Servant on Apple TV. A subscription costs $12.99 per month. Or you can save with an Apple One bundle.

Rated: TV-MA

Watch on: Apple TV

Scout Tafoya is a film and TV critic, director and creator of the long-running video essay series The Unloved for RogerEbert.com. He has written for The Village Voice, Film Comment, The Los Angeles Review of Books and Nylon Magazine. He is the author of Cinemaphagy: On the Psychedelic Classical Form of Tobe Hooper and But God Made Him A Poet: Watching John Ford in the 21st Century, the director of 25 feature films, and the director and editor of more than 300 video essays, which can be found at Patreon.com/honorszombie.

We originally published this Servant review on June 4, 2023. We updated the info.

New Apple TV crime thriller Down Cemetery Road, based on British author Mick Herron’s debut novel, might not always match the fast-and-dirty fun of Slow Horses, the hit stablemate also derived from Herron’s work.

However, it offers enough intrigue, stellar performances (especially from star Emma Thompson) and dark humor to deserve your attention. 

Here’s why you should stream the eight-episode conspiracy thriller.

Down Cemetery Road review: 3 reasons to watch

Over the years, Apple TV has carved out impressive territory in the prestige thriller space. Dark-humored espionage thriller (and Emmy magnet) Slow Horses stands out as a prime example. And as our Down Cemetery Road review notes, the streaming service just added another compelling entry to its lineup.

Down Cemetery Road, which debuted October 29 with its first two episodes, follows art restorer Sarah Trafford (played by Ruth Wilson). She becomes obsessed with finding a missing girl after a house explosion in her Oxford neighborhood. She enlists the help of private investigator Zoë Boehm (Thompson).

What begins as a simple missing persons case quickly spirals into something far more sinister, revealing a complex conspiracy where people believed dead somehow remain live — and many of the living seemingly can’t wait to join the dead.

1. Emma Thompson delivers another performance worthy of a brilliant career

If there’s one reason alone to tune into Down Cemetery Road, it’s Emma Thompson’s magnetic turn as Zoë Boehm. She’s the sardonic private investigator at the series’ center. Thompson’s delivery of her character’s blistering dialogue is wonderful. Zoë is very straight to the point and doesn’t hold anyone’s hand. The Oscar-winning actress brings a no-more-f*cks-to-give originality to the role. She creates a character who is simultaneously abrasive and vulnerable, cynical yet driven by her own complicated grief.

The show brims with sharp one-liners. Thompson delivers many of them with perfect timing. Her Zoë is a woman perpetually on the move, unable to stay still, and Thompson captures this restless energy brilliantly. Paired with Wilson’s determined Sarah, the two create a dynamic that feels fresh and engaging. Wilson’s performance as an art conservationist drawn into dangerous territory is exceptional. The two leads hold viewers’ interest and then some. 

The supporting cast also deserves some props. Darren Boyd,Adeel Akhtar, Tom Riley and Fehinti Balogun all contribute memorable performances.

2. This distinctive thriller brings genuine atmosphere and bite

Down Cemetery Road distinguishes itself through its peculiar blend of tones and its willingness to explore the darker corners of suburban British life. The series unfolds at a deliberate pace that fits the story’s growing paranoia and mystery. Each episode feels like a progression to a deeper conspiracy. While some viewers may find this measured approach a little slow at times, others will appreciate how the show allows tension to build organically.

So far, the show features bombshells and cliffhangers in each episode, plus some captivating plot twists. The mystery at the heart of Down Cemetery Road involves government cover-ups, doctored evidence and a conspiracy that extends far beyond a simple house explosion. The series becomes a two-hander with Zoë reluctantly teaming up with Sarah to find the abducted child Dinah — orphaned by the house explosion — then expands into a much larger conspiracy mystery.

Distinctive visual style

The show’s visual style contributes significantly to its appeal. Crisp editing and striking use of locales, including the cathedral city of Bristol, the county of Somerset, and the fishing village of Polperro, help (and hat tip to RogerEbert.com for naming the places). Down Cemetery Road creates an atmosphere that’s both beautiful and unsettling. The contrast between picturesque English settings and the violence lurking beneath adds to the show’s distinctive character.

Like Slow Horses, Down Cemetery Road shares Herron’s preoccupation with outsiders and oddballs. Both shows share a hopeful fascination with the heroic potential of oddballs and burnouts, giving us characters who exist on society’s margins but prove surprisingly capable when thrust into dangerous situations. This makes Down Cemetery Road feel like a natural companion piece to Apple TV’s Emmy-winning spy thriller, even as it explores different narrative territory. And both might make Americans wonder, “Wow, do people really get violently killed this often in England? Jeez. I thought that was our thing.” 

3. Intelligent writing draws rich characters in Down Cemetery Road

What ultimately makes Down Cemetery Road worth watching is its commitment to character over spectacle. The characters are so richly drawn that they captivate viewers even when other elements falter. Writer Morwenna Banks, who also worked on Slow Horses, brings intelligence and wit to the adaptation, ensuring that even in slower moments, the dialogue sparkles and the character development continues.

Little, if anything, is ever rushed or skipped over. The mystery is rarely dumped on viewers in expository scenes. The show respects its audience’s intelligence, trusting them to piece together clues and follow complex narrative threads. Scenes and dialogue don’t feel wasted or unnecessary, even if the overall pacing speeds up and slows down in odd fashion at times.

Watch the Down Cemetery Road trailer

The show’s approach to its conspiracy plot feels sophisticated. While the core plot is political, involving government cover-ups of misdeeds, it’s not simple. And it doesn’t specify which political parties have done what. This ambiguity adds layers of complexity and prevents the series from feeling didactic or preachy.

Down Cemetery Road also succeeds in balancing its darker elements with unexpected humor. The series is funny without being glib, and dark without being grim — a tone that requires a real balancing act when tragedies unfold. This reflects Herron’s novels, which balance dark humor with genuine stakes and danger.

It’s worth acknowledging that Down Cemetery Road isn’t perfect. Some reviewers have said its eight episodes, running over 50 minutes each, can feel padded at times. The momentum occasionally meanders, and the broad comedy isn’t always completely at home with the darker thriller elements.

But those who haven’t tried it might do well to take a taste. After all, Slow Horses just aired its season 5 finale the day Down Cemetery Road debuted. So you’re going to have to hunt down other shows to watch.

Watch more thrillers on Apple TV

You can stream Slow Horses, Down Cemetery Road and other thrillers on Apple TV now. Get it by subscription for $12.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. Customers who buy a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.

After launching in November 2019, “Apple TV became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 580 wins and 2,787 award nominations and counting,” the service said.

More than 200 exclusive movies and TV shows call Apple TV home (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso). The service also offers documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.

The budget wireless earbuds market has become increasingly competitive, but this EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus earbuds review finds they manage to stand out with a compelling combination great sound, premium features and aggressively good value. Priced at $100 — with a launch discount coupon on Amazon bringing it down to about $80 —  these earbuds challenge what we’ve come to expect from the sub-$100 category. And they do so while going toe-to-toe with Apple’s $249 AirPods Pro 3.

EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus earbuds review

EarFun released the new Air Pro 4 Plus wireless, noise-canceling earbuds Monday after initially showcasing them at CES earlier this year. You may see them listed as “EarFun Air Pro 4+.” They feature various improvements over EarFun Air Pro 4, which I gave a 4-star review.

And given how good they are, minus a few minor drawbacks, they compare favorably with the outstanding AirPods Pro 3 for less than half the price (but minus a few features). As I’ve noticed with EarFun and other value-oriented makers in the past few years, great sound doesn’t have to come at a high price. 

Hi-res sound

EarFun Air Pro 4+ Adaptive Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Qualcomm aptX Lossless, Snapdragon Sound, Dual Drivers, 6 Mics AI Clear Calls, Hi-Res Sound, LDAC, Bluetooth 6.0 Earbuds, 54H Playtime

$79.99

These adaptive noise cancelling wireless earbuds feature dual drivers, Qualcomm aptX Lossless, Snapdragon Sound, six microphones with AI for clear calls, certified Hi-Res sound, LDAC codec, Bluetooth 6.0 and 54 hours of playtime.

Pros:

• Dual drivers for big sound
• Hi-Res Audio certified
• Long battery life
• Outstanding value

Cons:

• Plasticky build quality
• LDAC codec is only for Android
• No heart rate monitoring

Buy from Amazon

05/24/2026 06:00 am GMT

Table of contents: EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus earbuds review

• Design and build quality: Familiar but functional
• Sound quality: The dual-driver difference
• Active noise cancellation: Surprisingly effective
• Battery life: A clear advantage
• Features and connectivity: Packed with technology
• The value proposition
• Verdict

Design and build quality: Familiar but functional

Air Pro 4 Plus won’t win any awards for groundbreaking industrial design. The stemmed design looks like a more affordable version of the AirPods Pro 3, with a slightly plasticky feel that more-or-less telegraphs its budget-friendly nature. But this criticism feels unfair when considering the price difference — we’re talking about earbuds that cost less than half of Apple’s flagship offering.

EarFun designed the earbuds using data from 10,000 ear models to create a “3-point ergonomic fit” for extended wear comfort. And in real-world use, this attention to ergonomics pays dividends. The fit is secure without being uncomfortable, making them suitable for everything from commutes to workouts. Without even having to change ear tips to one of the four other sizes provided, they stayed in my ears better than AirPods Pro 2 and 3 usually have.

And Air Pro 4 Plus’ IP55 rating provides dust and water resistance suitable for workouts and outdoor use, though this falls slightly short of the AirPods Pro 3’s IP57 rating.

The charging case is compact and practical, supporting both wired USB-C charging and wireless charging — a feature that remains surprisingly uncommon in this price bracket.

Sound quality: The dual-driver difference

And here’s where Air Pro 4 Plus truly distinguishes itself. The earbuds combine a 10mm dynamic driver with an ultra-light FeatherBA balanced armature driver, making them the world’s first Hi-Res certified dual-driver wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancellation under $100, according to EarFun. But that isn’t just marketing speak — the dual-driver configuration makes a tangible difference in audio performance I could hear the moment I slipped them into my ears.

EarFun’s proprietary Nano Side-Fitted Acoustic Architecture positions the two drivers at a precise 11-degree angle to minimize magnetic interference and optimize sound resonance. According to EarFun’s CTO Rocky Deng, this specific angle reduces high-frequency attenuation, delivering clearer and more natural highs.

In practice, the sound signature is impressively balanced and natural, with delicately balanced mids and treble over punchy-but-not-overpowering bass. There’s no “more bass equals better” approach sometimes found in budget earbuds.

Comparing directly to the AirPods Pro 3 is interesting. Apple’s flagship features a new multiport acoustic architecture with next-generation Adaptive EQ that transforms bass response and widens the soundstage Apple. The AirPods Pro 3 undeniably offer superior audio fidelity, particularly in Spatial Audio performance and overall clarity. But with an excellent default sound profile and plenty of opportunity for adjustment within the app, EarFun’s great new buds soar surprisingly close to the likes of AirPods Pro 3.

Air Pro 4 Plus supports an impressive array of codecs including aptX Lossless, LDAC, AAC and SBC, giving Android users access to high-resolution wireless audio. The AirPods Pro 3, by contrast, are optimized primarily for Apple’s ecosystem, though they deliver exceptional performance within it.

Active noise cancellation: Surprisingly effective

Air Pro 4 Plus features QuietSmart 3.0 adaptive active noise cancellation that suppresses up to 50dB of ambient noise. This is comparable to the AirPods Pro 2’s performance, though the AirPods Pro 3 raise the bar significantly. Apple’s latest removes up to 2x more noise than the AirPods Pro 2 and 4x more than the original AirPods Pro — establishing them as having the world’s best in-ear active noise cancellation. Nevertheless, EarFun does quite well here.

In real-world testing, Air Pro 4 Plus’ strong ANC mode performs impressively well, effectively eliminating consistent low-frequency noises like air conditioners and fans, though sounds like keyboard clicks, voices, and sirens still came through in a toned-down way. The inclusion of multiple ANC modes — including a dedicated wind noise cancellation mode — adds practical versatility that’s rare in this price range.

While competitors like the Soundcore Liberty 4 may be quieter in terms of sheer noise-canceling power, the Air Pro 4’s superior fit can make it more effective in actual use, highlighting that the ear-canal seal and comfort of a good fit for passive noise cancellation can matter as much as raw ANC capability.

Battery life: A clear advantage

When it comes to batter life, Air Pro 4 Plus decisively outperforms the competition. EarFun claims up to 54 hours of total playback time with the charging case (36 hours with ANC enabled). That significantly exceeds AirPods Pro 3’s total battery life. Apple’s earbuds offer up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC enabled, with up to 30 hours total with the charging case.

And fast-charging capability provides three hours of playback from just 10 minutes of charging, making Air Pro 4 Plus ideal for users who frequently forget to charge their devices overnight.

Features and connectivity: Packed with technology

The Qualcomm QCC3091 SoC powers Air Pro 4 Plus. It supports Bluetooth 6.0, delivering high-resolution streaming across a wide range of devices. The earbuds include Google Fast Pair for seamless pairing with Android devices, multipoint connectivity for switching between devices and Auracast broadcasting for sharing audio.

A six-microphone AI-enhanced system handles call quality. I found calls crisp and clear, and my voice sounded that way to callers, too. In addition, the earbuds include an ultra-low latency Gaming Mode that keeps audio synced with on-screen action. And like AirPods Pro 3, EarFun’s new buds offer AI-based language translation. And in another difference, EarFun buds’ touch controls lack haptic feedback.

But AirPods Pro 3 offers some key features Air Pro 4 Plus simply can’t match. Apple’s earbuds include built-in heart rate sensing that uses infrared light pulsed 256 times per second to track blood flow during workouts, supporting up to 50 different workout types. They also feature comprehensive hearing health features including a clinically validated hearing test and FDA-approved hearing aid functionality.

The EarFun Audio companion app is functional, offering 30 EQ presets, a customizable parametric EQ, sound profile customization based on a hearing test and full control customization. However, scrolling through all 30 EQ presets in a single row is a bit tedious.

The value proposition

Here’s the critical question: Are EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus worth considering with top products like AirPods Pro 3 available?

For iPhone users deeply embedded in Apple’s ecosystem who want the absolute best ANC, cutting-edge health features and seamless device switching, AirPods Pro 3 justify their $249 price tag. The hearing health features alone could be transformative for users with hearing loss, and the heart rate monitoring opens up fitness tracking possibilities without an Apple Watch.

But for everyone else — particularly Android users, budget-conscious consumers, or those who simply want excellent sound quality without breaking the bank — Air Pro 4 Plus present a compelling alternative. To my ears, they’re the best budget earbuds available, delivering sound quality, balanced audio and impressive 54-hour battery life at an unbeatable price.

Air Pro 4 Plus has already earned recognition with a 2025 Red Dot Design Award and IFA Innovation Award Honoree status, validating their position as serious contenders in the crowded earbuds market.

Verdict: EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus review

EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus won’t replace AirPods Pro 3 for Apple devotees seeking the ultimate wireless earbuds experience. But they don’t need to. These earbuds occupy a different, equally valuable niche: delivering genuinely impressive audio quality, effective noise cancellation and premium features at a price that makes high-quality wireless audio accessible to far more people.

At $99.99 (or about $80 with launch discount coupon on Amazon), Air Pro 4 Plus represent exceptional value. They’re an easy recommendation for anyone who balks at spending $249 on earbuds but still wants a listening experience that approaches flagship quality.

For Android users with devices supporting aptX Lossless or LDAC, Air Pro 4 Plus may actually be preferable to AirPods, offering better codec support and comparable performance at less than half the price. That’s not just good — that’s remarkable.

Hi-res sound

EarFun Air Pro 4+ Adaptive Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Qualcomm aptX Lossless, Snapdragon Sound, Dual Drivers, 6 Mics AI Clear Calls, Hi-Res Sound, LDAC, Bluetooth 6.0 Earbuds, 54H Playtime

$79.99

These adaptive noise cancelling wireless earbuds feature dual drivers, Qualcomm aptX Lossless, Snapdragon Sound, six microphones with AI for clear calls, certified Hi-Res sound, LDAC codec, Bluetooth 6.0 and 54 hours of playtime.

Pros:

• Dual drivers for big sound
• Hi-Res Audio certified
• Long battery life
• Outstanding value

Cons:

• Plasticky build quality
• LDAC codec is only for Android
• No heart rate monitoring

Buy from Amazon

05/24/2026 06:00 am GMT

Buy from: EarFun or Amazon

★★★★☆

EarFun provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

The Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger lives up to its name. It’s sleek and very portable, but can pump out enough power to juice up a MacBook. It makes anything from Apple seem bulky, slow and limited.

I tested out its capabilities for this hands-on review.

Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger review

A slim, portable charger is the perfect solution for anyone who values convenience and mobility. Unlike bulky power bricks or constantly hunting for outlets, a sleek, lightweight charger slips easily into your bag or even a jacket pocket — ready to keep your laptop, tablet or phone powered wherever you are.

And this new one from Satechi offers two USB-C ports, so it can handle your iPhone and iPad at once. That’s a trick beyond virtually all Apple chargers.

Tiny but powerful

Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger

$59.99

Whether you’re traveling for work or vacation, the Satechi 67W USB C charger fits easily into any bag or pocket due to its compact size. It features two USB-C power delivery ports, and is compatible with laptops, tablets, smartphones, AirPods, Chromebooks, and other USB-C accessories.

Buy from Amazon

05/29/2026 04:13 pm GMT

Table of contents: Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger review

• Wonderfully slim charger
• Powerful charger that won’t overheat
• Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger review: Final thoughts
• Pricing

Wonderfully slim charger

The Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger is small enough to fit in a pocket. It measures only 3.1 inches by 2 inches by 0.7 inches, and weighs 0.2 pounds.

Even better, all the corners and edges are rounded to make the accessory feel even smaller. It also makes the charger less likely to scratch up your other gear when riding around in a bag. Of course, the power pongs fold down for portability.

For the style-conscious, it comes in black, desert rose and sand.

Despite the svelte dimensions, the charger includes two USB-C ports.

There’s only one Apple charger close to this small with two ports, and it tops out at 35W — about half as much as Satechi’s. Apple chargers capable of putting out more wattage are relatively gargantuan. Its 70W model is literally 5X larger than the Satechi charger.

Powerful charger that won’t overheat

The maximum output from the Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger is — you guessed it — 67 watts. I put this to the test, of course, by having it power up various devices through a USB-C multimeter.

It sent 66W to the HyperJuice 245W USB-C Battery Pack I used during testing for this review. That’s close enough to full power for me. It sent more than 50W to my new M5 iPad Pro, the tablet’s max.

But there’s an important caveat: After charging at 66W for about 10 minutes, the accessory started to warm up, and charging dropped to 43W to prevent overheating. So you can think of this as a 43W charger with 66W peak charging. If you don’t like the slowdown, consider the Rolling Square Supertiny — it doesn’t slow down even when it gets very hot. Read my review of that rival product for more details.

The two USB-C ports must split the power output between them. Plug in two devices and one port tops out at 45W, while the other gets up to 20W. In my test for this review, the actual breakdown is 43W and 17W, but that’s close enough. This dual-port setup is fine to charge a MacBook and an iPhone overnight. 

Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger review: Final thoughts

Don’t plug your precious Apple devices into cheap chargers made by sketchy companies. Satechi is a name you can trust — its products are top-notch. And this charger lives up to Satechi’s reputation. It’s small but powerful — just right for your MacBook, iPad or iPhone.

The svelte design makes it very portable, but also produces problems when it comes to shedding heat. Still, I prefer a charger that slows down to prevent overheating rather than taking a risk on one that doesn’t.

★★★★☆

Pricing

The Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger sells for $59.99.

Tiny but powerful

Satechi OntheGo 67W Slim Wall Charger

$59.99

Whether you’re traveling for work or vacation, the Satechi 67W USB C charger fits easily into any bag or pocket due to its compact size. It features two USB-C power delivery ports, and is compatible with laptops, tablets, smartphones, AirPods, Chromebooks, and other USB-C accessories.

Buy from Amazon

05/29/2026 04:13 pm GMT

Satechi provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

The Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station (WL-UTD58) heralds the company’s ambitious entry into next-generation connectivity. It offers users impressive charging power and access to remarkable data-transfer speeds in complex computer setups. I tried it in my dual 5K-display M4 MacBook Pro workstation — and found it excellent. Not perfect, but excellent. 

Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 dock review

For MacBook Pro users who want to maximize their productivity with high-resolution displays, Wavlink’s powerful dock positions itself as an affordable alternative to premium offerings from CalDigit, OWC and Anker. But it comes with some important caveats for Mac users to consider.

Blazing data transfer speeds

Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station

$299.99

This 12-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 dock offers 120Gbps data transfer, 140W power delivery to a laptop, 8K display support, 2.5G Ethernet port and four USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports.

Pros:

• Blazing fast data transfer
• Plenty of power for laptop
• Supports high resolution displays

Cons:

• No dedicated HDMI or DisplayPort connection
• Not all max specs apply to Macs
• No active cooling
• Ethernet connection could be faster

Buy from Amazon

05/29/2026 07:16 pm GMT

Table of contents: Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 dock review

• Impressive power and speed
• MacBook Pro dual 5K reality check
• Design and thermal management
• Value proposition in the Thunderbolt 5 landscape
• Real-world Mac integration considerations
• How the competition distinguishes its features
• Practical workflow applications
• Notable limitations and considerations
• The verdict for Mac users

Impressive power and speed

At the heart of the UTD58 lies Intel-certified Thunderbolt 5 technology, delivering three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports capable of handling dual displays at up to 8K resolutions at a 60Hz refresh rate, or triple displays at up to 4K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. That’s bandwidth three times faster than Thunderbolt 4.

It can also handle 80Gbps data transfer. That can change what’s possible for creative professionals working with massive video files or complex workflows. For my purposes, there’s really no file transfer I can come up with that wouldn’t be blindingly fast — as long as I connected the dock to my MacBook Pro using the Thunderbolt 5 cable, and also used a TB5-compatible destination, like an SSD.

The upstream Thunderbolt 5 port provides 140 watts of instant charging capability for compatible laptops, which means even the power-hungry 16-inch MacBook Pro can fast-charge through a single cable connection. This eliminates the traditional cable clutter that has plagued professional desk setups for years. It provided plenty of juice for my 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD).

Beyond Thunderbolt connectivity, the dock includes four USB-A ports running at 10GBps, a 2.5 gigabit Ethernet port for high-speed networking, a card reader supporting speeds up to 312Mbps and an audio combo jack. This port selection addresses the real-world needs of professionals who still rely on legacy USB-A peripherals while future-proofing for upcoming devices. Then again, it lacks dedicated HDMI and DisplayPort connectors.

MacBook Pro dual 5K reality check

Here’s where expectations meet Mac hardware limitations. While the UTD58 advertises support for dual displays at resolutions up to 6K at 60Hz for most M-chip Pro and Max MacBooks, the M1, M2, and M3 base models are restricted to single displays at 4K or 6K resolution, according to Wavlink. This isn’t a failing of the dock itself but rather a constraint of Apple’s silicon design.

MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips can support dual external displays at 6K/60Hz through Thunderbolt connections. That makes UTD58 an excellent match for these newer machines. The M4 Max variant can even support up to four external displays simultaneously. But achieving that requires connecting additional monitors directly to the MacBook alongside the dock.

For users seeking true 5K dual display support (5120 x 2880 resolution), the technical requirements become more specific. Both the docking station and monitors must support Display Stream Compression version 1.2 and DisplayPort 1.4 specifications. So 5K displays that lack proper DSC support can see resolution degradation from 6K to 4K output.

Real-world Mac integration considerations

The Wavlink dock operates plug-and-play with modern macOS versions, requiring no additional drivers for basic functionality. That’s a small advantage over some competitors.

One important consideration involves backward compatibility. Thunderbolt 5 docks work seamlessly with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4 and USB-C devices. That can help protect your investment as you transition between devices over the coming years. This future-proofing aspect carries particular weight given that Thunderbolt upgrade cycles typically span four to five years.

The absence of dedicated HDMI or DisplayPort outputs on the Wavlink dock follows the approach taken by OWC and others, prioritizing flexibility over convenience. Users must employ USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort adapter cables when connecting displays that lack USB-C inputs. This design philosophy makes sense for modern monitors but adds complexity and potential expense for those with older displays. I happen to use a pair of Alogic Clarity 5K displays that support USB-C connectivity. 

Design and thermal management

The dock measures 8.5 inches long by 3.5 inches deep and approximately 1 inch high, featuring ventilation on either end. The compact horizontal design contrasts with the cube-style approach taken by competitors like Anker and the elongated profiles of CalDigit’s offerings.

One area where premium docks maintain an advantage involves thermal management. Higher-end options like the Anker Prime incorporate active cooling with built-in fans and sophisticated heatsink designs Macworld, ensuring sustained performance under heavy multi-display and high-bandwidth workloads. Wavlink’s passive cooling approach through ventilation should prove adequate for most users. But sustained maximum loads could present challenges.

Value proposition in the Thunderbolt 5 landscape

At about $300, WL-UTD58 undercuts most competing Thunderbolt 5 docks in price. Anker Prime 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 dock retails for about $400. CalDigit’s flagship TS5 Plus commands about $500. Kensington SD5000T5 tends to come in at a lower price, but it can vary.

The price differential becomes significant when considering that many users won’t fully utilize the premium features of top-tier docks. Features like 2.5 gigabit Ethernet and 140W power delivery appear across most Thunderbolt 5 docks regardless of price point, meaning the core functionality remains consistent.

How the competition distinguishes its features

Understanding what separates premium options helps contextualize the Wavlink’s positioning. The Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock includes an internal M.2 SSD slot supporting drives up to eight terabytes at PCIe Gen 4 speeds, appealing to users who need internal storage expansion. CalDigit’s TS5 Plus delivers 20 ports total with dual USB controllers and 10 gigabit Ethernet, representing the absolute maximum in connectivity options.

Budget-conscious alternatives like the Plugable Thunderbolt 5 dock at $300 offer 11 ports including four Thunderbolt 5 connections, presenting direct competition to the Wavlink offering. The choice between these options often comes down to specific port configurations and brand trust rather than fundamental capability differences.

Practical workflow applications

For video editors, photographers and creative professionals, the ability to transfer large files at 80Gbps while maintaining dual high-resolution displays transforms daily workflows. Tasks like importing footage from high-speed SSDs while simultaneously editing on dual 6K displays become seamless operations rather than bottlenecked frustrations.

The 2.5 gigabit Ethernet connection proves particularly valuable for professionals accessing network-attached storage or collaborating on shared projects. This represents a meaningful upgrade over standard gigabit connections for bandwidth-intensive workflows, though it falls short of the 10 gigabit networking found on the most expensive docks.

Notable limitations and considerations

The Wavlink dock shares a common limitation with most Thunderbolt 5 options: macOS does not support triple display configurations through docking stations, regardless of the dock’s capabilities. Windows users with Thunderbolt 5 systems can access triple display support, but Mac users remain constrained by Apple’s implementation choices.

Card reader performance, while adequate at 312 megabits per second, lags behind some competitors whose readers have drawn criticism for being slower than expected. Professional photographers rapidly importing thousands of high-resolution images may find this speed limiting compared to dedicated external card readers.

The requirement for manual power button activation represents another minor inconvenience. Unlike some competing docks, the Wavlink requires users to physically press the power button after connecting to power, which can prove awkward depending on desk configuration.

The verdict for Mac users

Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station delivers genuine next-generation connectivity at a competitive price point. That makes Thunderbolt 5 technology accessible to professionals who might otherwise find premium docks too expensive. For MacBook Pro users with M4 Pro or M4 Max chips seeking dual 6K display support alongside comprehensive peripheral connectivity, this dock fulfills its core mission well.

The absence of premium features like active cooling, 10 gigabit Ethernet or integrated storage expansion won’t matter to many users whose workflows don’t demand these capabilities. The money saved versus top-tier alternatives could fund high-quality adapter cables, an external card reader or help you simply remain in your budget.

However, users with older base-model M1, M2, or M3 MacBooks should carefully evaluate whether the Thunderbolt 5 investment makes sense given Apple’s single-display limitations on these machines. Waiting for your next MacBook upgrade before investing in Thunderbolt 5 infrastructure might prove more prudent.

For the specific use case of dual 5K displays with a modern MacBook Pro, verify that your chosen monitors support the necessary Display Stream Compression and DisplayPort standards. This technical compatibility proves just as important as the dock’s capabilities in achieving your desired configuration.

The Wavlink WL-UTD58 represents solid value in the emerging Thunderbolt 5 ecosystem, delivering the speed and connectivity professionals need without the premium pricing of flagship alternatives. While it may lack the polish and some of the advanced features of more expensive options, it accomplishes the fundamental task of expanding your MacBook Pro’s capabilities into a comprehensive workstation through a single cable connection.

Blazing data transfer speeds

Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station

$299.99

This 12-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 dock offers 120Gbps data transfer, 140W power delivery to a laptop, 8K display support, 2.5G Ethernet port and four USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports.

Pros:

• Blazing fast data transfer
• Plenty of power for laptop
• Supports high resolution displays

Cons:

• No dedicated HDMI or DisplayPort connection
• Not all max specs apply to Macs
• No active cooling
• Ethernet connection could be faster

Buy from Amazon

05/29/2026 07:16 pm GMT

Buy from: Wavlink or Amazon

★★★★☆

Wavlink provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

The new M5 Vision Pro brings a huge leap in compute power and graphics performance to Apple’s novel mixed-reality platform. The tweaks to the formula deliver better graphics and passthrough video, and longer battery life — plus a more comfortable head band in the box. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include more storage or a lower price.

Apple doesn’t appear to be pushing M2 Vision Pro owners to upgrade. I wouldn’t, either. Rather, if you’re still Vision Pro-curious — and you’ve been pinching your pennies for the past year and a half — the Vision Pro you buy today will be a bit better.

I quickly fell in love with the original Vision Pro. Here’s what I think of the new one.

M5 Vision Pro review

Apple’s Vision Pro is the company’s most ambitious product since the original iPhone — and it shows. This isn’t just a fancy pair of goggles; it’s Apple’s first real step into the era of “spatial computing,” where your apps, media and memories float right in front of you.

The headset delivers jaw-dropping visuals, buttery-smooth controls and that signature Apple magic that makes futuristic tech feel instantly familiar. It’s a full computer … that you wear on your face. But at $3,499, it’s also a glimpse of tomorrow with a price tag that keeps it firmly out of reach for most people today.

Apple released the original model in February 2024 with an M2 chip, which was already a year and a half old by the time the headset shipped. The new version is one of the first three products with Apple’s brand-new M5 chip, so it should have more staying power.

Ultimate entertainment device

Apple Vision Pro (M5)

4.0

$3,499.00

The most advanced personal electronics device ever, updated with the latest M5 chip. The Vision Pro isn’t a typical gaming VR headset, it’s a spatial computer.

Pros:

• 8K of high resolution
• AR and VR apps and games
• Apple Immersive videos

Cons:

• Much more expensive than other headsets

Read our hands-on review: The M5 Vision Pro is still the ultimate entertainment device

Buy from Apple

Table of contents: M5 Apple Vision Pro review

1. Design
2. Dual Knit Band
3. Improved pass-through video and resolution
4. Faster speeds
5. Longer battery life
6. Productivity
7. Entertainment
8. Should you upgrade from the M2 model?
9. Conclusion: Should you buy a Vision Pro?

Design

The design of the headset itself is unchanged, for better and worse.

The curved front glass covers its many cameras and sensors. Underneath is the EyeSight display, which projects a creepy CGI version of your eyes to other people in the room so that you can pretend to have a normal conversation. I don’t think it’s a totally terrible idea, but I do think the EyeSight display is too dark, small and blurry to look good. This did not get any changes in the new version. I wonder if there’s anything Apple can do to improve EyeSight in software (the same way it improved Personas). 

The Vision Pro’s body is iconic Apple silver aluminum, with vents on the top and bottom. The digital crown and top button are intuitively placed to find without looking. The inside is dark felt. The Light Seal snaps on magnetically and blocks your peripheral vision. The bridges are a soft-touch rubber, and contain the surprisingly excellent speakers.

The Vision Pro is great at achieving what it’s trying to do. But its enormously complex design is in large part to blame for its expensive manufacturing. It’s hard to appreciate the beautiful curved glass without imagining how much cheaper it would be if it were plastic or how expensive the repair would be if it tumbled off a table.

Dual Knit Band

The new Dual Knit Band combines the best of both worlds of the two previous straps. It has the same cool design and ease of use of the Solo Knit Band, with the more balanced feel of the Dual Loop Band. It’s backwards compatible with the original model, because the connectors didn’t change. You can buy it separately for $99.

In an impressive feat of engineering, the single Fit Dial adjusts both the tension in the back and the top band. You can pull it out to tighten the top, or push it in to tighten the rear. I have no clue how this works mechanically, but it’s incredible and feels great.

This is probably a much better one-size-fits-all band to include in the box, but it doesn’t work well for me. The top strap pushes down on the front of my hair in a rather uncomfortable way; the rest of my hair billows up behind like a peacock. (And absolutely ruins my hair after long sessions.)

Personally, I’ll stick to using the Solo Knit Band with the Annapro A2 Head Strap. This third-party strap attaches to the bridge of the Vision Pro, and it rests on my forehead rather than the top of my head. The Annapro A2 also lets me use the Vision Pro without a Light Seal, giving me back my entire peripheral vision. This is a radical improvement in comfort, while also keeping you aware of your surroundings, although it does break the illusion of full VR.

Unfortunately, the Dual Knit Band is too floppy to work sans-Light Seal.

Improved passthrough video and resolution

The high-resolution passthrough video is the most impressive technical breakthrough of the Vision Pro. Up to 100 times a second, it combines data from over a dozen sensors and cameras, builds live 3D geometry of your environment, scans the exact positions of your eyes, then combines it all into a live video feed that’s scaled to over 8K resolution and mapped onto a sphere. Oh, and on top of that, you can browse the web and watch movies and play games and use it like a computer.

When you consider how much it’s doing, you can forgive it for feeling like you’re looking through the viewfinder of a really big VHS camcorder. Everything is slightly fuzzy and staticky. Turn your head too fast and there’s a little motion blur.

As it turns out, the M2 chip was the narrow end of the funnel. Even with its foveated rendering, which blurs parts of the screen you’re not looking at to save compute power, it still couldn’t reach the maximum resolution around your eye. The M5 can render “10% more pixels,” according to Apple. I can notice a slight difference, but it’s awfully subtle.

The new Vision Pro bumps the frame rate up to 120. There’s a little less motion blur when tilting your head or walking around, but again, it’s not night and day.

I think M5 Vision Pro owners should be happy they’re getting a better experience, but M2 owners shouldn’t feel any FOMO.

Faster speeds

iPhones and MacBooks get the pleasure of being updated annually to every new A-series and M-series chip. iPads and desktop Macs are known to skip a generation every once in a while. So far, the Vision Pro is in the peripheral category alongside the Apple TV and HomePod of being updated whenever Apple feels like it, so it jumps from the M2 all the way to the M5.

The Vision Pro doesn’t feel slow in most situations. I only ever hear the fans come on during 3D VR games, where the headset gets a bit warm after a while.

The M5 version is a monumental improvement in that regard. Playing the same 3D games on both, the M5 is totally silent.

Another minor benefit is the start-up time. I find myself rebooting or cold starting my Vision Pro more often than my iPhone or Mac; it’s a consequence of being a newer, buggier platform and occasionally going a week or so between usage. The M5 model boots about 1.5 seconds faster, or 24.4 seconds total.

Longer battery life

Thanks to the efficient M5 chip, the Vision Pro claims a longer battery life. The original Vision Pro was cited as having two hours; the new model has 2.5 hours of mixed use and 3 hours of video playback.

Apple underpromises battery life. In my typical usage — writing, browsing the web, using Slack, watching YouTube videos — I got about 2.5 hours on the original model. On the M5 version, I easily exceeded 3 hours. And yes, this is all thanks to the new chip — the battery pack itself is unchanged. The M5 strikes again.

That still may not sound like very much battery life, but I’m not sure how much more I need. I’m almost always using the Vision Pro sitting down, plugged in. I unplug it if I want to quickly get up and go to the kitchen, have lunch or just walk around, but that’s rarely over 90 minutes at a time. I wouldn’t need more battery life unless I were traveling on a plane or train without an outlet (which is pretty rare nowadays). 

Productivity

I really like working in the Vision Pro –it’s the ultimate tool for focus.

You only directly see what you’re working on. There’s no desktop, no Dock, no red badges to pull you away. The Mac encourages me to fit as many windows as possible overlapping on the screen at once. The Vision Pro encourages me to pare it all down to the essentials.

It feels like I can happily write all day in the Vision Pro. And with the M5’s extra power, I can do more multitasking and crash Safari less.

Unfortunately, there’s not that much else I can do in it. I’m writing this entire review on a Vision Pro — but that’s only one part of my job. I can’t do any graphic design without Pixelmator Pro. I can’t capture iPhone screenshots and screen recordings without QuickTime and Framous. And certainly, I can’t edit podcasts without Logic Pro or videos without Final Cut Pro. Even if those apps were ported, testing them on the M3 iPad Air earlier this year required a tedious and convoluted workflow because these mobile devices don’t have direct access to my Mac’s external storage.

I’m really looking forward to the day when I can do more work in my Vision Pro. But that day might be years down the road.

Entertainment

Much of the Vision Pro experience is, so far, unfulfilled potential. But the one area it is unquestionably already excellent is as a TV, movie and photo-browsing device. (This isn’t new to the M5 model, but I wanted to include at least one section that can be unapologetically positive.)

Apple’s slow drip of immersive content in the TV app is now building up to be a substantial library. The release of the Blackmagic 3D camera actually does seem to be responsible for a faster, more ambitious rollout of content. Apple’s stuff is all excellent, and with the Spatial Gallery app, you can get more bite-sized clips in a TikTok-style experience every week.

And that’s on top of many third-party apps for the Vision Pro with their own libraries of documentaries, videos and theatrical blockbuster movies in full 3D. It is, without a doubt, the best way to relive the rollercoaster movies like Avatar, Gravity, Pacific Rim and, seemingly, every Marvel Studios flick.

2D content looks great, too

Even watching 2D content is really special. I watch movies and shows on my Plex library streamed from my Mac all the time. It’s awesome to fill up your entire field of view with a crisp 4K movie on a movie theater-sized screen in your house. Or, if you’re like me, you can take incredible joy in the irony of using an incredibly expensive consumer headset to watch 60+ year old missing episode reconstructions of Doctor Who.

Browsing through your photo library is truly special. Most people only ever see their photos on a phone. A much smaller percentage of people might look on a Mac, and an even smaller proportion might use an Apple TV. If you’ve never seen your photos on a screen above 6.9 inches, you are in for a whirlwind of emotions when you browse through your life’s memories, filling a whole wall — and in 3D. It is simply superb. 

Should you upgrade from the M2 model?

I don’t think Apple intends for the M5 Vision Pro to be a necessary upgrade from the M2 Vision Pro. Apple’s press release shies away from making many comparisons between the two; they’re normally littered with percentages outlining every improved metric. You’ll be hard pressed to find a place where the existence of the two different models is even acknowledged. On the Apple Store and Apple Support pages, no distinction at all is made between the two. Only in technical documentation is it called “Apple Vision Pro (M5)” — and certainly not Apple Vision Pro 2.

As an M2 Vision Pro owner, I’m jealous of the improvements in the M5 Vision Pro. But I don’t think there’s anything leaving me heart broken.

Normally, in product reviews, I refrain from saying whether or not a product is “worth it.” The same $120 MagSafe charger might be chump change to a lucky tech enthusiast with a well-paying job, or ludicrously expensive to someone struggling to make ends meet. However, I have to acknowledge that there are very few people for whom a $3,499 headset is a reasonable purchase — much less a second one 18 months later. 

There are some professional video editing, programming and scientific research workflows that truly demand buying the most power available and upgrading every generation. I don’t think there are many professional 3D movie watchers that would demand the M5’s improvements over the M2. 

Conclusion: Should you buy a Vision Pro?

Reports say Apple recently paused development of future Vision Pro headsets. Instead of approaching wearables from the high end and working down, Apple reportedly wants to take on Meta by developing basic smart glasses and building back up from the low end.

If you’re curious about a Vision Pro, the M5 model is the one to buy. It could be the last of its kind for a few years. If you can stretch it, you will have the most exciting new piece of technology in your house.

★★★★☆

Price: $3,499

Ultimate entertainment device

Apple Vision Pro (M5)

4.0

$3,499.00

The most advanced personal electronics device ever, updated with the latest M5 chip. The Vision Pro isn’t a typical gaming VR headset, it’s a spatial computer.

Pros:

• 8K of high resolution
• AR and VR apps and games
• Apple Immersive videos

Cons:

• Much more expensive than other headsets

Read our hands-on review: The M5 Vision Pro is still the ultimate entertainment device

Buy from Apple

Apple did not provide Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

The 2025 iPad Pro is the best high-end tablet Apple’s ever made. Don’t make the mistake of dismissing it as a “chip and ship” upgrade because the major change is the new M5 processor. Plenty of other enhancements make the tablet better than the M4 model. It moves files much faster, charges more quickly, offers better Wi-Fi and more.

If you’re still using an older model like the M1 iPad Pro, you’ll see really huge changes for the better if you upgrade to Apple’s latest tablet.

Based on my time with the M5 iPad Pro, here are seven new features that make the tablet really stand out.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

M5 iPad Pro review

Apple makes a range of tablets: a budget iPad you can get for about $300, iPad Air for those who want a larger, more powerful tablet … and then there’s the iPad Pro.

Apple’s top-of-the-line tablets aren’t for people looking for an e-book reader that they occasionally check their mail on. No, an iPad Pro owner uses it for real work. Maybe they need a touchscreen and stylus while creating brilliant art, or perhaps they prefer a computer that’s even more portable than a MacBook while moving between patients in a hospital.

I’ve used an iPad as my primary computer for about a decade — most recently an M4 iPad Pro — because I want a computer that can function as a tablet, a laptop and a desktop while being put to constant, heavy use. Plus, I prefer the simplicity of iPadOS. I don’t need all the additional functionality that comes with macOS, so it’s not a benefit to me.

If this sounds familiar, then the M5 iPad Pro might be just what you’re looking for.

I tested the 13-inch model for this review, but the 11-inch one is identical internally. That leaves the essential difference being that one is more portable and one is easier to see. (I’m sure you can figure out which is which.)

Tabletus maximus

M5 iPad Pro, 13-inch (256GB storage)

$1,195.00

Apple's pro tablet upgrade for 2025 features the M5 processor for maximum performance.

Pros:

• Apple's biggest, most powerful tablet
• 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion and antireflective coating
• 4x peak GPU compute compared to M4 iPad Pro

Cons:

• Pricey
• Nano-texture glass only available on 1TB and 2TB models

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Best Buy

05/27/2026 08:55 am GMT

Table of contents: M5 iPad Pro review

• M5 chip brings a hefty boost in performance
• More RAM is always better
• Much faster file transfers
• Fast charging is good charging
• Faster Wi-Fi performance, too
• Gorgeous 120Hz external displays
• Better cellular-wireless connectivity
• M5 iPad Pro builds on a brilliant foundation
• M5 iPad Pro review: Final thoughts
• Pricing

1. M5 chip brings a hefty boost in performance

The 2025 iPad Pro isn’t a simple chip-and-ship upgrade, but the move from an M4 to an M5 processor is undoubtedly the standout enhancement. The whole point of a new processor is faster performance, so of course I benchmarked the new chip.

I think you’ll be pleased by the change. I know some of you are pushing Procreate to its limits, and more speed is welcome. The M5 delivers, especially in graphics performance.

Starting with the CPU, Geekbench 6 shows a 15,651 score in the Multi-Core test. That’s a 16% improvement over the M4 iPad Pro. But I reference last year’s model only in passing because replacing a 2024 model with a 2025 one makes little sense. Now, those of you still using an M1 iPad Pro from 2021 can look forward to an 87% speed boost — close to double.

As for graphics performance, the M5 iPad Pro scored 74,125 on Geekbench 6’s Metal test. That’s a 36% boost over the M4, and 123% faster than an M1 iPad Pro.

Having said that, note carefully that the version of the M5 I’m testing is the one with nine CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. It comes in the variant with 256GB or 512GB of storage. Get an M5 with 1TB or 2TB of storage, and the M5 gains an additional CPU core. A tablet with that chip variant scored 16,116 on the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core test — about 3% faster.

According to Geekbench AI, the M5 boosts the artificial intelligence performance of the iPad Pro by 6% over the M4. But then you’re probably not using Apple Intelligence much. 

2. More RAM is always better

One of the best features of the M5 iPad Pro, and one that’s easy to overlook, is that the variants with 256GB and 512GB of storage get 12GB of unified memory — a 50% boost over their predecessors.

If you go with 1TB or 2TB of storage, the M5 iPad Pro comes with 16GB of RAM. Another reason to choose carefully when ordering.

I’ve already seen the advantage of more RAM in my everyday usage. I can edit a large image in Pixelmator, then go back to WordPress in Safari, and the page I was using doesn’t need to reload.

3. Much faster file transfers

Apple promises the 2025 iPad Pro offers up to 2x faster storage read and write speeds, and that might be understating the gain.

I tested the new tablet with a LaCie Rugged SSD4. Moving a 10.75GB test file onto the drive took 4.5 seconds, down from 14 seconds transferring the same file with an M4 iPad Pro. That’s about 2.4GB/s. Copying the file onto the M5 iPad Pro took 4 seconds (about 2.7GB/s), down from 8 seconds with the M4 model.

The difference is so huge that, if you regularly move large video files to/from SSDs, it’s possible this file transfer speed increase might save you more total time than the faster processor.

Hopefully, you’re using the enormously upgraded Files application in iPadOS 26. Quicker transfers make the app even better.

4. Fast charging is good charging

The iPad Pro series runs for a long time on a single charge. Apple promises up to 10 hours without needing a plug-in, and that’s a reasonable estimate based on my usage.

Even better, the M5 iPad Pro supports fast charge — enabling up to a 50% charge in around half an hour. It takes advantage of a new $39 wall charger from Apple that ordinarily puts out 40W but can go up to 60W for short periods.

Of course, that’s not the only option. I used the Rolling Square Supertiny to fast charge the tablet. My USB-C power meter shows the computer was taking in more than 50W, while the M4 version tops out at about 35W. With that setup, the battery level in my 2025 iPad Pro shot from 3% up to 55% in exactly 30 minutes — way faster than the M4 model ever could.

5. Faster Wi-Fi performance, too

The M5 isn’t the only new Apple silicon inside the latest iPad Pro — the tablet also features the N1, making this one of the first computers with the Apple-designed wireless networking chip.

Perhaps the main benefit is that it brings Wi-Fi 7 support. This sports a potential maximum data rate of almost 46 Gbps. Compare that to the 9.6 Gbps max possible with Wi-Fi 6/6E. Plus, the wireless standard offers greater connection reliability.

For everyone (like me) who hasn’t yet invested in a Wi-Fi 7 router, I can reassure you that Apple switching to the new wireless chip hasn’t decreased my Wi-Fi performance versus the Broadcom chip in the M4 iPad Pro. Apple actually promises “better performance when connected to 5GHz networks,” but I’m not seeing it.

The N1 also brings in Bluetooth 6 support, up from Bluetooth 5.3 in the previous M4 model. You’re unlikely to notice any difference because the newest version isn’t focused on keyboards, mice and other tablet-friendly accessories.

In addition, Apple promises that the N1 improves the overall performance and reliability of Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. I can’t comment because I don’t have a history of having difficulties with either.

6. Gorgeous 120Hz external displays

Full support for external displays is a brilliant iPad productivity feature. And that got supercharged with the release of iPadOS 26, which looks very Mac-like with a multitasking system complete with resizable, floating windows and macOS-style controls.

The M5 iPad Pro’s internal display is 120Hz/ProMotion, and it is the first in this product line able to drive external displays at up to a 120Hz refresh rate. That includes support for Adaptive Sync, which provides the lowest possible latency in external display performance. These external monitor improvements make the new tablet even better for video editing and gaming.

7. Improved cellular-wireless connectivity

Continuing the trend toward more Apple silicon, variants of the 2025 iPad Pro configured with cellular connectivity are the first with the C1X modem. Apple says this delivers “up to 50 percent faster cellular data performance than its predecessor with even greater efficiency.”

I quote Apple because my tablet doesn’t have cellular-wireless connectivity, so I can’t test the feature. I much prefer to use my iPhone 17 as a hotspot for my tablet.

M5 iPad Pro builds on a brilliant foundation

I hope I’ve demonstrated that the M5 iPad Pro is more than a chip-and-ship upgrade. There are too many other improvements in the 2025 model to dismiss it as a simple CPU speed boost. And don’t overlook that these enhancements are made to a fantastic tablet: the 2024 iPad Pro.

Like its predecessor, the centerpiece of the new model is a gorgeous OLED display. With an organic light-emitting diode screen, there’s no need for a backlight — each pixel glows on its own. The result is strong colors, very black blacks, and an extremely even picture across the entire display.

The panel hasn’t changed from the previous model, so the resolution is 2,752 by 2,064 pixels on the 13-inch variant or 2,420 by 1,668 pixels on the 11-inch one. Both work out to be 264 ppi.

This beautiful display fits into a slim device: just 0.2 inches thick. The 13-inch variant weighs 1.28 pounds, while the smaller one comes in at just 0.98 pounds.

Those using a much older tablet will appreciate that the front-facing camera moved to the long edge of the screen for better horizontal use when making FaceTime calls. You’ll also like that the minimal amount of storage is 256GB, though you can go all the way up to 2TB.

Apple still hasn’t changed the number of USB-C ports — the M5 iPad Pro remains stuck at one. Fortunately, you can power it up via a fantastic charger that uses the Smart Connector and leaves the port open for SSDs and other accessories.

M5 iPad Pro review: Final thoughts

The M5 iPad Pro is hands-down the best tablet to ever come out of Cupertino. I highly recommend it if you’re getting work done on an aging M1 model or something even more antique. Apple’s newest runs blazing fast, and the OLED screen looks fantastic in every lighting condition. And don’t forget about quicker file transfers over USB-C and speedier Wi-Fi.

I’ll use mine for years to do my job, while continuing to roll my eyes when people try to tell me that a Mac is absolutely required to be productive.

★★★★★

Pricing

The 13-inch M5 iPad Pro variant starts at $1,299, while the 11-inch one starts at $999. These are the same prices as the M4 model.

Configuring the tablets with additional storage increases the prices.

Portable powerhouse

M5 iPad Pro, 11-inch (256GB storage)

$899.00

Apple's pro tablet upgrade for 2025 features the M5 processor for maximum performance.

Pros:

• Midsize Apple tablet with big-time performance
• 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion and antireflective coating
• 4x peak GPU compute compared to M4 iPad Pro

Cons:

• Pricey
• Nano-texture glass only available on 1TB and 2TB models

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Best Buy

05/30/2026 02:17 am GMT

Apple did not provide Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

After spending some time with Apple’s new base-model 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro, I’ve come to a clear conclusion: It’s an excellent laptop that represents the absolute best iteration of a formula Apple perfected years ago. But whether you should buy one depends entirely on what you’re upgrading from and what you actually do with your computer.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

M5 MacBook Pro review

Apple’s high-end MacBook Pro laptop first launched in 2006 and the workhouse quickly became a a perennial favorite of professionals. Apple unveiled the M5 MacBook Pro on October 15.

As with other recent models, the new M5 MacBook Pro sports Apple’s best and brightest Mac displays, powerful Apple silicon processors and a plethora of ports to plug in peripherals. It runs macOS 26, Apple’s latest desktop computer operating system.

While the MacBook Pro hasn’t changed much in the last few years, under-the-hood improvements make it better than ever.

Supercharged by M5

MacBook Pro (M5, 14-inch, 2025)

$1,352.18

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.

Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance.

Pros:

• Great single-core CPU performance
• Great GPU improvements
• Notably faster SSD speeds
• Excellent display and speaker system
• Same price as previous generation

Cons:

• Identical design to 3 previous generations
• No Wi-Fi 7 or Thunderbolt 5
• Battery life unchanged from M4
• 16GB base RAM feels limiting for "Pro" machine in 2025.

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Best Buy

05/27/2026 08:52 am GMT

Table of contents: M5 MacBook Pro review

• First impressions: Familiarity breeds … excellence?
• The M5 chip: Where the real story lives
• Real-world performance on day-to-day tasks
• Where M5 flexes its muscles
• The AI revolution hasn’t quite arrived
• Storage: Finally, real improvements
• Comparing M5 to M4: Should you upgrade?
• The bigger picture: Should you buy or wait?
• Conclusion: M5 MacBook Pro review

First impressions: Familiarity breeds … excellence?

When I unboxed the silver base-level M5 MacBook Pro (10-core CPU/10-core GPU), 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD), I experienced an immediate sense of déjà vu. This is, in every visible way, the exact same laptop Apple released last year with the M4 chip (and very similar to the M4 Pro model I bought and reviewed). The same gorgeous 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display. The same sturdy aluminum chassis measuring 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches and weighing 3.4 pounds. The same port selection: three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, MagSafe 3, HDMI, SD card slot and headphone jack.

Even the nano-texture display option, 12MP Center Stage camera and six-speaker sound system carry over unchanged from the previous generation. Apple didn’t even update to Wi-Fi 7 (we’re still on Wi-Fi 6E) or Thunderbolt 5, which feels like a missed opportunity in late 2025.

Is this a problem? Not really. Early reviewers more or less love the laptop. The design Apple settled on in 2021 with M1 machines remains genuinely excellent. But after four years of the same aesthetic, I’m definitely ready for something fresh. The silver finish I tested is elegant but a little bit prone to fingerprints.

The M5 chip: Where the real story lives

Here’s where things get interesting. The M5 chip features a next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, delivering up to 3.5 times the AI performance and up to 1.6 times faster graphics than the M4.

Apple also claims up to 20% better multi-threaded CPU performance, though both chips share the same 10-core configuration (four performance cores, six efficiency cores).

Real-world performance on day-to-day tasks

For basic productivity work — and let’s be honest, that’s what most people do most of the time — the M5 feels virtually identical to the M4. I spent hours in Safari with 20+ tabs open and bouncing between e-mail, Messages, Slack and various productivity apps. Everything felt nearly instantaneous. App launches were snappy. Switching between workspaces felt seamless.

The enhanced unified memory bandwidth (153GB/s, up from 120GB/s on the M4) primarily benefits those running AI-heavy workloads or managing extremely large files. For email and web browsing? You probably won’t notice the difference.

Where M5 flexes its muscles

The performance gap becomes more apparent when you push the machine harder. I tested video transcoding using HandBrake to convert a 4K video to 1080p. The M5 completed the task in short order — refreshingly fast compared to previous similar efforts on older machines.

In Geekbench 6, the M5 achieved a single-core score of 4,288, roughly a 10% boost over the M4, which aligns with Apple’s typical year-over-year improvements. Multi-core performance saw an even bigger jump at around 19% to 21% depending on the benchmark, likely due to improvements in the efficiency cores.

The GPU improvements are more dramatic. Gaming performance saw real gains, with some reviewers’ tests for titles like Resident Evil 4 Remake hitting 55 FPS at 1080p without upscaling, and 100-120 FPS with MetalFX enabled. That’s genuinely impressive for a base-model MacBook, though dedicated gaming laptops still offer better value for hardcore gamers.

The AI revolution hasn’t quite arrived

Apple’s making big claims about AI performance, and the benchmarks support them. The M5’s GPU features a dedicated Neural Accelerator in each core, delivering over 4x peak GPU compute compared to M4. In apps designed to leverage this — like running local LLMs or AI image generation — the improvements are real.

But here’s the thing: Most people aren’t running Stable Diffusion models locally or using AI-heavy creative tools daily. Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and improved Siri work great, but they also worked great on the M4. For the average user, the AI capabilities feel more like future-proofing than a practical reason to upgrade today.

Storage: Finally, real improvements

One area where I noticed tangible improvements is storage performance. Apple claims up to 2 times faster SSD performance than the M4, and this translated to noticeably quicker imports of large photo libraries and exports of video files. Transferring a 50GB folder from an external drive took about 45 seconds on the M5.

Apple also now offers a 4TB storage option (for an eye-watering $1,200 upgrade), up from the 2TB maximum on the M4. Most users will be fine with 512GB or 1TB, but power users will appreciate having the option for more.

Battery life: The one area of slight disappointment

Apple rates the M5 MacBook Pro for up to 24 hours of video playback — identical to the M4’s rating. In testing, I got roughly 12 to 13 hours of mixed usage (web browsing, document editing, video streaming at medium brightness). That’s no better than the M4 model.

According to macOS power metrics, M5 draws an average of 28W during video encoding tests compared to around 17W for M4. For less intensive tasks, efficiency seemed comparable, but it’s clear Apple is pushing performance over battery optimization with this generation.

Don’t misunderstand — 12-plus hours is still excellent, and better than virtually any Windows laptop. But it’s not an improvement.

Comparing M5 to M4: Should you upgrade?

If you own an M4 MacBook Pro, the answer is simple: No, you should not upgrade. The improvements are incremental at best, and unless you’re doing AI-heavy work or need that 4TB storage option, you won’t benefit meaningfully from the M5.

Even Apple seems to acknowledge this positioning, as the M5 update is clearly targeted at users upgrading from M1, M2 or Intel machines rather than M4 owners.

Who should buy M5 over M4?

• First-time MacBook Pro buyers: At the same $1,599 price point, there’s no reason not to get the latest chip.
• Intel or M1 users: You’ll see massive improvements in every metric.
• AI and ML developers: The Neural Accelerators make a real difference for your workloads.
• Photographers and video editors: Faster storage and GPU performance will improve your workflow.
• Future-proofers: If you plan to keep this laptop 5-plus years, the M5 will age better.

Who should consider a discounted M4 instead?

• Budget-conscious buyers: If you can find an M4 for $200 or 300 off, it’s incredible value.
• General productivity users: For email, web and office work, the M4 is already overkill.
• M3 or M4 owners: The generational leap isn’t worth the upgrade cost.

M5 vs. M4 Pro comparison: A more complex decision

Now let’s tackle the more interesting comparison: How does the base M5 stack up against last year’s M4 Pro (starting at $1,999 with 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU and 24GB RAM)? That machine I bought and reviewed, happily replacing an M1 Pro MacBook Pro. 

M4 Pro features up to a 14-core CPU (10 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) and up to a 20-core GPU — potentially double the GPU cores of the M5. So in multi-threaded workloads, M4 Pro handily beats M5. For tasks like 3D rendering, complex video editing with multiple 4K streams, or software compilation, the M4 Pro is noticeably faster. If you, unlike me, actually do those things a lot. 

M4 Pro also supports up to 64GB of unified memory with 273GB/s of memory bandwidth — significantly more than the M5’s 32GB maximum and 153GB/s bandwidth. If you’re working with massive datasets, running multiple virtual machines or need tons of RAM for your creative workflows, the M4 Pro provides headroom the M5 simply can’t match.

Features: M4 Pro’s key advantages

M4 Pro models include several features absent from the base M5:

• Thunderbolt 5: M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pros feature three Thunderbolt 5 ports offering speeds up to 120 Gb/s with Bandwidth Boost — triple the bandwidth of the M5’s Thunderbolt 4 ports. For professionals working with external RAIDs, high-resolution video workflows, or multiple 6K displays, this is a game-changer.
• M4 Pro can drive up to three 6K displays at 60Hz over Thunderbolt, or more complex multi-monitor setups including 8K displays. The base M5 maxes out at two external displays at 6K.
• More memory comes standard: M4 Pro starts with 24GB of RAM versus 16GB on the M5. For $400 more, you’re getting 50% more memory out of the box, which makes a real difference for pro applications.

Efficiency: Where the M5 surprises

Here’s where things get interesting. Despite being the “lesser” chip, M5 actually offers better efficiency for certain workloads. M5’s Neural Accelerators deliver over 4 times peak GPU compute for AI workloads compared to M4. That means it can actually outperform the M4 Pro in specific AI-driven tasks while consuming less power.

For single-threaded performance, the M5 features what Apple calls “the world’s fastest CPU core.” And in single-core benchmarks, it edges out even the M4 Pro. If your workflow is primarily single-threaded — think programming, some audio production or general productivity — M5’s performance cores are as fast as you can get.

Value proposition: M5 vs M4 Pro

At $1,599 versus $1,999, you’re paying $400 more for the M4 Pro base configuration. Here’s how I’d think about that decision:

Choose M5 if you:

• Do mostly single-threaded work with occasional bursts of heavy lifting.
• Don’t need more than 16GB RAM (or are willing to configure up to 32GB).
• Work primarily with local files rather than massive external storage arrays.
• Value portability and battery life over maximum performance.
• Are interested in AI/ML work but not professional video production.

Choose M4 Pro if you:

• Regularly work with 4K/8K video or large 3D projects.
• Need Thunderbolt 5 for high-speed external storage or multiple displays.
• Require more than 32GB of RAM.
• Run heavily multi-threaded workloads (rendering, compilation, simulation).
• Want the absolute best MacBook Pro experience regardless of cost.

For my own fairly wimpy use case — writing, web development, photo editing and occasional video work — the base M5 is more than sufficient. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss Thunderbolt 5 when connecting to my external monitor setup (including future versions of it). 

The bigger picture: Should you buy or wait?

Rumors suggest that the M6 MacBook Pro will bring more significant design changes, potentially including OLED displays and a refreshed aesthetic. If you’re not in a rush and can wait until late 2026, you might be rewarded with a more meaningful upgrade.

That said, waiting for the “next big thing” in tech is a fool’s errand. There’s always something better around the corner. If you need a new laptop now, the M5 MacBook Pro is an excellent choice that will serve you well for years.

Who should buy it:

• First-time MacBook Pro buyers at $1,599.
• Users upgrading from Intel, M1 or M2 Macs.
• Developers and creatives needing strong single-core performance.
• Anyone wanting the latest tech without Pro/Max pricing.

Who should skip it:

• M4 MacBook Pro owners (unless you absolutely need that AI performance).
• Users who can find M4 models on significant discount.
• Those who need Thunderbolt 5 (get M4 Pro instead).
• Anyone waiting for a design refresh.

Conclusion: M5 MacBook Pro review

The 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is a superb laptop that doesn’t reinvent anything. It’s the best version of a base-model formula Apple has perfected, offering stellar performance, excellent build quality and that gorgeous display in a familiar package.

So the M5 MacBook Pro is an incremental but worthy upgrade that keeps Apple’s base-model Pro at the top of the laptop market. It’s not exciting, but it’s exceptionally competent. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

Supercharged by M5

MacBook Pro (M5, 14-inch, 2025)

$1,352.18

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.

Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance.

Pros:

• Great single-core CPU performance
• Great GPU improvements
• Notably faster SSD speeds
• Excellent display and speaker system
• Same price as previous generation

Cons:

• Identical design to 3 previous generations
• No Wi-Fi 7 or Thunderbolt 5
• Battery life unchanged from M4
• 16GB base RAM feels limiting for "Pro" machine in 2025.

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Best Buy

05/27/2026 08:52 am GMT

Buy from: Apple or Amazon

★★★★☆

Apple did not provide Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

The Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand is an ideal option for those who need to add a travel keyboard to their iPad and don’t want to limit the accessory to only one tablet. Or want to add a portable keyboard to their iPad without giving up the case they like.

It can switch between computers with a simple push of a button. Plus, it’s not limited to tablets.

I’ve tested the multi-device input device with my iPad and iPhone, and came away quite pleased.

Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand review

Don’t try to tell me I need a Mac to get work done — I’ve used an iPad as my primary computer for a decade. That said, a physical keyboard is a real bonus for people who use their iPad as a productivity tool. Sure, you can peck out text with the on-screen keyboard, but that can’t compare with the ease and speed of a physical keyboard. You just need to choose the right one.

Most iPad keyboards work with a single model or family of models. My Apple Magic Keyboard works only with a 13-inch iPad Pro, for example. And I must hope Apple doesn’t redesign a future version of the tablet so the keyboard will stay compatible.

That’s never going to be a problem with the Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand. Unfold it, and any iPad model can sit in its stand, ready for you to type on it. Or an Android tablet can be used, or a Windows one. They just need to support Bluetooth. Heck, you could use it with the Mac mini you use as your travel computer.

Just as important, you don’t need to take your tablet out of its protective stand to use Satechi’s keyboard/stand.

Travel keyboard for any iPad

Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand

$79.99

The Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand is a compact, travel-ready typing solution designed for professionals who work from anywhere. With a protective cover that transforms into a sturdy, adjustable stand for tablets or smartphones, it delivers portability and productivity in one sleek package, perfect for staying efficient without the extra bulk.

Pros:

• Compatible with any iPad, plus iPhone too
• Folds flat for easy transport

Buy from Amazon

05/29/2026 11:18 pm GMT

Table of contents: Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand review

• Portable keyboard designed for any tablet
• Bluetooth multidevice pairing
• Usable typing performance
• Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand review: Final thoughts
• Pricing

Portable keyboard designed for any tablet

When not in use, the accessory folds flat. Really flat: just 0.4 inches. As the length and width are 16.3 inches and 5.8 inches, the keyboard is very easy to carry around. It’s much smaller than my iPad, and weighs only 1.2 pounds.

When it’s time to get work done, the accessory’s protective cover unfolds into an adjustable stand for phones or tablets up to 13 inches in size. A kickstand supports the computer at angles from almost completely straight up to almost laying back flat.

I kept my iPad Pro in a slim folio case when using the Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand, and that was never a problem. The tablet was always supported firmly, with absolutely no wiggling even when I tapped the touchscreen firmly.

Another advantage of this accessory is that the tablet can be in either portrait or landscape orientation when I’m typing.

My review unit is black, but sand is another color option.

Bluetooth multidevice pairing

With the Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand, you don’t have to worry that your next iPad will be compatible — it will be. Size and shape won’t really matter.

But you don’t have to wait that long to take advantage of the accessory’s flexibility. It can be paired with up to three computers at once, and switch between them at the press of a button. A family or group of coworkers might share one keyboard with it being easily handed around.

Or — as I mentioned — you can use it with your iPhone. Suppose you’re on an overnight trip when something blows up at work. You didn’t bring your iPad, but with your iPhone and Satechi’s keyboard, you can write the 500-word email you have to send immediately to calm things down.

The disadvantage of Bluetooth is that the accessory requires a built-in battery, which is charged through a USB-C port on the right edge. You won’t need to charge it very often, though – I tested mine for weeks and the battery still sits at 100%.

Usable typing performance

There’s nothing cramped about typing on the Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand. The key area is 10.1 inches wide, typical keys are 0.6 inches square, and key separation is 0.1 in. Those are measurements that would fit a good desktop keyboard. I can easily touch type on it.

That said, the keys suffer from the limitation of every travel and notebook keyboard I’ve ever used: limited travel. The amount of up/down movement I get pressing each key is only about 1 mm, but you might not notice if you type on a MacBook every day. Only those accustomed to a desktop keyboard might be used to more key travel.

And take note, the CMD key is usually 50% larger than typical keys on Apple keyboards. It’s not here, making it slightly harder to find with a finger.

Still, Satechi included a row of iPad function keys, making it easy to start/stop media from playing, open the app launcher, adjust the tablet’s backlight, and more.

Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand review: Final thoughts

As much as I love the Apple Magic Keyboard with my iPad Pro, I haven’t had a problem using Satechi’s keyboard/case instead during this review. I ordinarily keep my iPad in a lightweight folio, only switching to Apple’s keyboard/case when working away from the office. With the OntheGo model, I don’t need to remove my regular iPad case — I simply drop it and Satechi’s keyboard into my gear bag and I’m ready to work. It’s more convenient.

I also like the assurance that this keyboard will work with any tablet I buy in the future.

★★★★☆

Like your iPad case with a built-in stand? The rival Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 is very nearly this keyboard but without the stand. Read my review.

Pricing

The Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand can be ordered now. It costs $79.99.

Buy it from: Amazon

Travel keyboard for any iPad

Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand

$79.99

The Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand is a compact, travel-ready typing solution designed for professionals who work from anywhere. With a protective cover that transforms into a sturdy, adjustable stand for tablets or smartphones, it delivers portability and productivity in one sleek package, perfect for staying efficient without the extra bulk.

Pros:

• Compatible with any iPad, plus iPhone too
• Folds flat for easy transport

Buy from Amazon

05/29/2026 11:18 pm GMT

Satechi provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

The first reviews for Apple’s new M5 MacBook Pro just landed, and the consensus among tech reviewers is clear: The incremental update improves an already excellent laptop. The 14-inch machine’s design remains unchanged from last year’s M4 model. However, improvements to processing power, storage speed and AI capabilities make it a compelling option for those upgrading from older machines. Still, current M4 MacBook Pro owners have little reason to feel envious.

Across M5 MacBook Pro reviews from The Verge, Wired, Tom’s Guide and Engadget, the laptop earns praise for its performance while raising questions about who should actually buy it.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

M5 MacBook Pro reviews see modest but meaningful upgrades

Apple unveiled the M5 MacBook Pro on October 15, with shipping a week later. As Apple’s high-end laptop first launched in 2006, MacBook Pro is a workhorse and a perennial favorite among professionals. It features Apple’s best and brightest Mac displays, powerful Apple silicon chips, and a plethora of ports to plug in peripherals. It runs macOS, Apple’s desktop computer operating system. And now comes the latest version sporting the M5 chip.

Early reviewers consistently found meaningful but not dramatic performance improvements in M5 MacBook Pro. Wired was impressed when the M5 chip hit 200 in single-core performance on Cinebench 2024, calling it “a first for any chip” and noting that Apple remains “in a different league compared to the competition” in this metric. However, Wired’s review contextualized this as an 11% increase over the M4. That’s actually the smallest generational improvement to single-core performance since the M2 over the M1.

The Verge found benchmark tests showed modest improvements, with CPU tests ranging from 8% to 16% faster than the M4. Creative application benchmarks in Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve scored 17% to 33% higher. However, in day-to-day use, these speed enhancements aren’t really noticeable since the M4 MacBook Pro is already pretty fast.

In its review of the M5 MacBook Pro, Tom’s Guide praised the laptop’s ability to handle everyday workflows effortlessly. The reviewer noted the machine managed “well over 30 open tabs, Slack and the occasional YouTube video” with ease. Plus, cropping and resizing photos was “a breeze.” The publication’s lab tests confirmed the performance improvements Apple promised.

Engadget emphasized that Apple claims the M5 has “the world’s fastest CPU core” with up to 20% faster multithreaded performance compared to the M4 chip, and GPU performance that’s up to 1.6 times faster in pro apps and games.

Storage speeds double, AI gets a boost

One area where all reviewers agreed on significant improvement? Storage performance. Wired reported M5 now uses the PCIe Gen 5 standard, resulting in twice the SSD read and write speeds, with average read speeds around 6,500 MB/s and write speeds of 6,728 MB/s. That’s slightly faster than the M4 Pro. Apple also increased the maximum storage configuration to 4TB, up from 2TB on previous M4 and M4 Pro models.

The Verge reported the 1TB drive in the M5 version more than doubles the sequential read/write speeds of the M4 model, now matching the speedier drives found in M4 Pro and M4 Max models.

Engadget noted that Apple claims SSD performance is up to twice as fast as the previous generation. That should benefit tasks like importing RAW files or exporting large video projects.

M5’s biggest architectural change involves AI processing. Wired highlighted two primary AI improvements: a faster Neural Engine that’s an average of 29% faster than the M4 and 40% faster than the M3, and new Neural Accelerators in the GPU cores — a feature first seen in the iPhone 17’s A19 chip. And despite the M3 Max being more powerful overall, the M5 outperformed it by 5% when running Geekbench AI on the GPU.

According to The Verge, the M5’s new Neural Accelerators on its 10 GPU cores are designed to provide up to 3.5 times the AI performance compared to the M4. Noticeable improvements showed up in specialized workflows like AI upscaling in Topaz Video and Enhance Speech in Premiere Pro.

Battery life remains exceptional

Tom’s Guide conducted extensive battery testing and found the M5 MacBook Pro lasted 18 hours and 14 minutes in continuous web surfing tests, describing it as “one of the longest-lasting laptops we’ve tested.”

The Verge confirmed impressive real-world endurance, with the laptop easily lasting a full nine-hour workday filled with productivity apps, photo editing and music listening.

GPU improvements bring gaming closer (but not close enough)

M5’s GPU received the most enthusiastic praise from reviewers, even as they acknowledged gaming still isn’t the MacBook Pro‘s strong suit. Wired called the GPU performance “a major area where the M5 shines,” noting it’s nearly a match with the M3 Pro and only 3% behind the M1 Ultra found in the original Mac Studio. Wired called it “quite an achievement” that the M5 — which will eventually appear in a $999 MacBook Air — is as powerful as the $2,000 M3 Pro MacBook Pro at launch.

All publications tested gaming performance extensively. Wired found that Cyberpunk 2077 could achieve 39 FPS on Medium settings or 51 FPS on Low at 1920 x 1200 without upscaling, calling it “decent” but noting a massive gap compared to discrete GPUs — even a low-tier RTX 5050 was 53% faster. However, Wired praised the fact that you can play such a demanding game “without it sounding like a jet engine.” The laptop also stayed relatively cool during long gaming sessions.

Tom’s Guide found more success with optimized titles. The reviewer reported that Resident Evil 4 Remake ran at 50 to 55 frames per second at 1080p with MetalFX upscaling turned off, jumping to between 100 and 120 FPS with it enabled.

Design: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (but it’s getting old)

All four publications noted the completely unchanged design, though they differed on how problematic this is. Engadget confirmed that the M5 MacBook Pro is “largely unchanged from the previous model,” with identical specs to its M4 predecessor, “right down to the same dimensions, weight and 70-watt power adapter.” The laptop retains its 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port, SD card slot and headphone jack.

Wired took a more critical stance on the aging design. It noted the chassis has been around since 2021 and “feels old at this point.” So does the notch in the screen, which “feels more and more outdated with each passing year.” The publication also noted that while the display is excellent — sharp, fast, colorful and bright — Apple no longer has “the de facto best laptop display” given the proliferation of bright OLED laptops on the market.

However, the reviewer praised certain elements that haven’t changed. He called the M5 MacBook Pro’s six-speaker audio system “bassy, full, loud, and crystal clear” with only the 16-inch MacBook Pro offering better laptop speakers.

Wired also noted disappointment that wireless connectivity wasn’t upgraded, leaving Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 off the table. And Thunderbolt 5 appears to remain exclusive to M4 Pro and M4 Max models.

Where M5 MacBook Pro reviewers agree and disagree

All four publications agree on several key points:

• The M5 MacBook Pro is an excellent laptop that’s slightly better than the already-great M4 model.
• Current M4 owners have no reason to upgrade.
• The $1,599 starting price represents good value.
• Battery life is exceptional (though Wired noted it’s the first time battery life remained stagnant from the previous generation).
• The design is unchanged but still premium.
• GPU and AI improvements are the most significant upgrades.

The biggest disagreement centers on who should buy this laptop and whether the lack of other upgrades matters. Wired was most critical of the positioning, arguing that “the M5 MacBook Pro is probably not the MacBook most people should buy” and suggesting it’s “a casualty of Apple’s marketing strategy.” As long as similarly specced M4 Pro MacBook Pros are available at the same price, “the lack of anything else new in the M5 MacBook Pro makes it a harder sell.” 

The Verge saw the new laptop as ideal for “students in creative fields, or for anyone doing light photo and video editing” who wants to go beyond MacBook Air performance. Tom’s Guide recommended it strongly for those upgrading from Intel-based Macs or early M-series processors. “Those who own a MacBook Pro M4 don’t have to upgrade,” the reviewer said. However, anyone with an older machine “won’t be disappointed.”

Engadget took a more cautious stance. The reviewer suggested Apple “may have opted for a low-key release since the M5 MacBook Pro is largely unchanged from the previous model,” with the emphasis squarely on the M5 chip’s enhanced performance.

M5 MacBook Pro reviews: The bottom line

The M5 MacBook Pro represents Apple’s continued refinement strategy. As in, take an already excellent product and make it incrementally better. As The Verge concluded, “as uninspired as this chip refresh is, there’s no denying it’s a great laptop made ever so slightly better.” Wired gave it an 8/10 rating, calling the M5 chip “a beast, especially in graphics and AI.”

For anyone on an older machine, it’s a compelling upgrade. But for M4 owners, there’s no FOMO here. Your laptop remains excellent. The real test will come when Apple releases the M5 Pro and M5 Max models expected in early 2026. Those chip upgrades should provide more substantial performance gains for power users willing to spend more. And the M6, of course — eventually.

Supercharged by M5

MacBook Pro (M5, 14-inch, 2025)

$1,352.18

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.

Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance.

Pros:

• Great single-core CPU performance
• Great GPU improvements
• Notably faster SSD speeds
• Excellent display and speaker system
• Same price as previous generation

Cons:

• Identical design to 3 previous generations
• No Wi-Fi 7 or Thunderbolt 5
• Battery life unchanged from M4
• 16GB base RAM feels limiting for "Pro" machine in 2025.

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Best Buy

05/27/2026 08:52 am GMT

Many early reviews of the 2025 iPad Pro with Apple’s new M5 processor share a general theme. The new chip makes the device faster, and paired with the major redesign of iPadOS 26, the tablet might just rival a MacBook.

Read on for M5 iPad Pro reviewers’ comments.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

First reviews of M5 iPad Pro: Tablet is more like a Mac than ever

The iPad Pro is Apple’s ultimate tablet for creators — and also, increasingly, a MacBook clone. Paired with an Apple Pencil, it’s a fantastic tool for visual artists. Inserted into Apple’s excellent Magic Keyboard, it’s a hybrid tool for writers, photo editors or anyone else who might otherwise work on a laptop. And thanks to its incredible processing power, the iPad Pro can handle resource-intensive tasks like professional video and audio editing.

The M5 chip inside the 2025 iPad Pro, which Apple unveiled on October 15, is the tablet’s major enhancement over the previous M4 model. Alongside that speed boost from the new M5, some variants benefit from 50% more RAM. The premium tablet includes an OLED screen in both the 13-inch and 11-inch versions.

It hasn’t reached customers or store shelves yet, but a fortunate few got review units before the release.

Portable powerhouse

M5 iPad Pro, 11-inch (256GB storage)

$899.00

Apple's pro tablet upgrade for 2025 features the M5 processor for maximum performance.

Pros:

• Midsize Apple tablet with big-time performance
• 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion and antireflective coating
• 4x peak GPU compute compared to M4 iPad Pro

Cons:

• Pricey
• Nano-texture glass only available on 1TB and 2TB models

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Best Buy

05/30/2026 02:17 am GMT

M5 brings expected performance increase

The whole point of a new processor is a jump in speed, and the Apple M5 delivers, according to the first M5 iPad Pro reviews.

“If you’re coming from, say, an M1-powered iPad Pro, you’ll notice the performance improvement right away,” said The Verge reviewer. “Things that used to load and buffer now just render and save almost instantly.”

“In Geekbench 6 tests, the multicore benchmark number I got with the 10-core M5 is 16,116, vs. 14,672 for last year’s higher-end M4 iPad Pro. That’s about 10% faster,” noted Cnet’s reviewer. “Compared with the M3 iPad Air from earlier this year, which got a multicore score of 11,643, it’s 38% faster.”

iPadOS 26 makes iPad more Mac-like

Reviewers all praised the changes in iPadOS 26, which launched last month.

“After spending the better part of a week using a 13-inch iPad Pro, I’m more compelled by it than I expected to be,” said The Verge reviewer. “The biggest reason by far is not the new hardware but iPadOS 26, which finally imbues the iPad with some PC-like powers, from the free-form multitasking to the menu bar to the massively improved Files app.”

“There are things about this iPad Pro that I like more than my laptop,” said the Cnet review. “FaceID sign-ins are smooth and easy. The crisp OLED touchscreen is better for movies and better overall than any Mac for now. The M5 processor blazes.”

“I have been working off this machine over the past few days, and I feel as though I’ve been able to work faster than I ever have before on an iPad,” said Wired’s reviewer.

Plus new Apple chips

The M5 isn’t the only Apple silicon inside — The tablet features the N1, a new Apple-designed wireless networking chip.

“My internet speeds are consistently faster on the M5 Pro than the M4 Pro. Sometimes way faster,” said The Verge.

M5 iPad Pro variants configured with cellular-wireless connectivity use the C1X, a cellular modem designed by Apple.

“I worked predominantly on cellular with no issues,” noted Wired. “My speed tests in midtown Manhattan were stellar.”

Order M5 iPad Pro today

The M5 iPad Pro begins arriving in stores on October 22. The 13-inch model starts at $1,299, while the 11-inch one starts at $999.

• Order 11-inch M5 iPad Pro from: Amazon
• Order 13-inch M5 iPad Pro from: Amazon

Configuring the tablets with additional storage increases the prices.

Tabletus maximus

M5 iPad Pro, 13-inch (256GB storage)

$1,195.00

Apple's pro tablet upgrade for 2025 features the M5 processor for maximum performance.

Pros:

• Apple's biggest, most powerful tablet
• 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion and antireflective coating
• 4x peak GPU compute compared to M4 iPad Pro

Cons:

• Pricey
• Nano-texture glass only available on 1TB and 2TB models

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Best Buy

05/27/2026 08:55 am GMT

Pairing your iPhone with the right earbuds shouldn’t be a compromise. While Apple’s ecosystem makes AirPods the obvious choice, Sennheiser’s German-engineered earbuds deliver superior sound quality that transforms how you experience music, podcasts and calls. We ranked the five best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone users, with picks for various price points and uses.

From flagship audiophile options to budget-conscious picks, here’s everything you need to know about finding your perfect Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone

We looked closely at Sennheiser’s entire lineup to identify which models truly excel with iPhone, considering AAC codec support, app compatibility and real-world performance.

• Top pick

• Detailed rankings
  • #1 Best overall: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
  • #2 Best value: Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless
  • #3 Best for active users: Sennheiser Sport True Wireless
  • #4 Best inexpensive option: Sennheiser CX True Wireless
  • #5 Best midtier option: Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless
• How we chose
• What to look for when buying Sennheiser earbuds
• Conclusion

Best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone top pick: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds represent the pinnacle of wireless audio for iPhone users, combining exceptional sound quality with premium features and outstanding build quality. At $300, these flagship earbuds deliver audiophile-grade performance with AAC codec support optimized for Apple devices, adaptive noise cancellation that rivals the best in class (the incredible AirPods Pro 3), and a sophisticated app experience that works seamlessly with iOS. With seven-hour battery life (ANC on) and Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio support, they’re the best overall choice for iPhone owners who refuse to compromise on sound.

Best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone: Detailed rankings

After testing across sound quality, comfort, battery life and iPhone-specific features, here are the top Sennheiser earbuds ranked for iPhone users.

#1 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: Best overall

The fourth-generation Momentum True Wireless earbuds are Sennheiser’s masterpiece for discerning iPhone users. These earbuds feature the company’s TrueResponse transducer system with 7mm dynamic drivers that deliver incredibly balanced, hi-fi-tuned sound right out of the box. While they support advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless for Android devices, iPhone users will appreciate how well-optimized the AAC codec performs — Apple’s implementation delivers outstanding audio quality that lets these earbuds shine.

The Momentum True Wireless 4 excel in every category that matters to iPhone users. The Sennheiser Smart Control app for iOS is intuitive and feature-rich, offering customizable EQ, Sound Personalization features, and easy firmware updates. The adaptive ANC effectively blocks out distractions without feeling oppressive, while transparency mode sounds natural when you need environmental awareness. Bluetooth 5.4 provides rock-solid connectivity with your iPhone, and the wireless charging case adds convenience to your Apple ecosystem.

These Sennheiser earbuds are perfect for iPhone users who demand the absolute best sound quality and don’t mind paying premium prices. Whether you’re listening to lossless audio from Apple Music or taking video calls, the Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds deliver consistently exceptional performance.

Great sound

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds

$199.95

Sennheiser's flagship earbuds includes high-quality audio for music and calls, Bluetooth 5.4, comfortable design, 30-hour battery life, adaptive ANC, LE Audio and Auracast.

Pros:

• Audiophile-grade sound quality
• AAC codec for iPhone
• Good adaptive noise cancellation
• Future-proof Bluetooth 5.4 and LE Audio

Cons:

• Somewhat bulky charging case
• Some advanced codecs only work with Android

Buy from Amazon

05/27/2026 04:14 pm GMT

#2 Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless: Best value

Accentum True Wireless earbuds hit the sweet spot between performance and affordability, offering much of what makes Sennheiser special at nearly half the price of the Momentum line. These midrange earbuds deliver impressive sound quality through the same 7mm TrueResponse drivers found in pricier models, with a balanced tuning that handles everything from pop to classical with ease.

For iPhone users specifically, the Accentum True Wireless earbuds shine with their AAC codec support and full iOS app compatibility. The hybrid active noise cancellation system performs admirably for the price, effectively reducing ambient noise during commutes or work sessions. Battery life is excellent at eight hours per charge with ANC off or six hours with ANC on. The case provides an additional 20 hours.

The earbuds’ compact, lightweight design makes them comfortable for extended wear, and the IP54 rating protects against sweat and splashes.

The Sennheiser Smart Control app offers the same great features as the flagship model, including customizable EQ presets, Sound Check personalization, and granular control over touch commands. While they lack the premium finish and some advanced features of the Momentum line, the Accentum True Wireless deliver outstanding value for iPhone users seeking authentic Sennheiser sound without breaking the bank.

Great value

Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Earbuds

$119.95

Accentum brings excellent sound -- and great value for the price. You get crystal-clear sound with hybrid ANC, an ergonomic design, a touch interface and 28-hour battery life with the charging case.

Pros:

• Good value at under $200
• Premium TrueResponse drivers
• Effective hybrid ANC for price
• EQ customization

Cons:

• Design lacks the premium flair
• Flagship models sound a little better

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 06:17 am GMT

#3 Sennheiser Sport True Wireless: Best for active users

Designed specifically for workouts and active lifestyles, Sport True Wireless earbuds bring Sennheiser’s signature sound quality to the gym. These earbuds feature a secure-fit design with multiple ear tip and wing fin options to ensure they stay locked in place during even the most intense workouts. The IP54 rating provides solid protection against sweat and dust, making them reliable training partners.

What sets these apart for iPhone users is the innovative Adaptable Acoustics system with two types of ear tips: “Focus” tips for isolation and “Aware” tips for environmental awareness. This flexibility lets you choose the right listening experience for different activities — sealed sound for the gym, open awareness for outdoor runs. The 7mm dynamic drivers deliver energetic, bass-forward sound perfect for workout motivation, with full AAC codec support for iPhone.

Battery life is very good at nine hours per charge with an additional 18 hours from the case. That ensures these buds can handle multiple workout sessions between charges. Sennheiser’s Smart Control app on iOS provides customizable touch controls and EQ settings. While the buds lack active noise cancellation, they excel at their primary mission. They deliver great sound during physical activity without falling out or failing due to moisture.

Great for workouts

Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds

$149.00

These Bluetooth in-ear headphones give you music and calls with adaptable acoustics, noise isolation, touch controls, IP54 sweat resistance and a 27-hour battery life.

Pros:

• Exceptional 9-hour battery life
• Secure fit and adjustability
• IP54 sweat and dust resistance
• Adaptable Acoustics for awareness or isolation

Cons:

• No ANC or wireless charging
• A bit bulky

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 07:18 am GMT

#4 Sennheiser CX True Wireless: Best inexpensive option

CX True Wireless earbuds represent Sennheiser’s most affordable entry into the true wireless market. They offer surprisingly good sound quality at just $129. The buds prove you don’t need to spend premium dollars to enjoy Sennheiser’s acoustic expertise. They feature the same 7 mm TrueResponse drivers found throughout the lineup with bass-forward tuning that’s perfect for modern music genres.

iPhone users will appreciate the Sennheiser CX True Wireless earbuds’ straightforward pairing process and full AAC codec support. It delivers clean, detailed audio from Apple Music and other streaming services. The IPX4 rating provides basic splash resistance, and the customizable touch controls make it easy to manage playback, volume, and calls without reaching for your iPhone. Battery life is solid at nine hours per charge with an additional 18 hours from the case.

The Sennheiser Smart Control app works seamlessly with iOS, offering a 3-band EQ, Bass Boost mode, and the ability to customize touch controls. While you sacrifice active noise cancellation and some premium features, the excellent passive isolation from the secure fit helps block out environmental noise. These are perfect for iPhone users who want authentic Sennheiser sound on a budget.

Budget pick

Sennheiser CX True Wireless Earbuds

$129.95

These Bluetooth earbuds use passive noise cancellation, not active. They include customizable touch controls, Bass Boost, IPX4 water resistance and and 27-hour battery life.

Pros:

• Affordable Sennheiser option
• Long battery life
• Customizable touch control and app EQ

Cons:

• No ANC
• No wireless charging

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 07:18 am GMT

#5 Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless: Best midtier ANC option

CX Plus True Wireless buds bridge the gap between the budget CX line and premium Momentum series, adding active noise cancellation at an accessible $180 price point. These earbuds deliver most of the features from the flagship Momentum True Wireless line — including ANC, transparency mode and the 7 mm TrueResponse transducer — while cutting back on premium finishes and some advanced features.

For iPhone users, the Sennheiser CX Plus earbuds support AAC codec alongside aptX and aptX Adaptive, ensuring excellent sound quality from Apple devices. The active noise cancellation effectively reduces ambient noise for commutes and focused work sessions, while transparency mode lets you stay aware when needed. The Smart Pause feature automatically pauses audio when you remove an earbud and resumes when replaced—a thoughtful touch for busy iPhone users.

Battery life is strong at eight hours per charge (ANC off) with 24 hours total from the case. The Sennheiser Smart Control app on iOS provides comprehensive customization, including a five-band EQ, Bass Boost preset and full control over touch commands and voice assistant access. The IPX4 rating provides basic water resistance. While wireless charging is notably absent at this price, the CX Plus earbuds deliver impressive ANC performance for significantly less than premium competitors.

Great mid-price option

Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless Earbuds

$109.99

With CX Plus, you get Bluetooth in-ear headphones with active noise cancellation, customizable touch controls, IPX4 water resistance and 24-hour battery life. The iOS app has a graphic equalizer.

Pros:

• Affordable ANC at $180
• Same drivers as premium Momentum line
• Effective transparency mode
• 5-band EQ in app

Cons:

• No wireless charging
• So-so battery life

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 07:18 am GMT

How we chose the best Sennheiser earbuds

Our testing methodology focuses on real-world performance with iPhone devices to ensure our recommendations deliver exceptional value. We evaluated each model on the following criteria to determine the best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone owners.

• iPhone compatibility: AAC codec support, iOS app functionality, pairing reliability and integration with Apple ecosystem features.
• Sound quality: Clarity across frequency ranges, soundstage width, detail retrieval and overall musicality using Apple Music lossless tracks.
• Comfort and fit: Long-term wearability, ear tip variety, secure fit during movement and suitability for different ear sizes.
• Battery life: Real-world testing at typical listening volumes with both ANC on and off.
• Active noise cancellation: Effectiveness at blocking various noise types, transparency mode quality and impact on sound quality.
• App experience: iOS app stability, feature set, firmware update process and ease of customization.
• Build quality: Materials, durability, water resistance rating and charging case design.
• Value: Price-to-performance ratio considering features, sound quality and longevity.

What to look for when buying Sennheiser earbuds

Still not sure which Sennheiser earbuds are best for you and your iPhone? Here’s what to consider before you buy:

Codec support: While Sennheiser earbuds support multiple codecs, iPhone users should prioritize models with excellent AAC implementation. All Sennheiser earbuds work well with iPhone’s AAC codec, but don’t pay extra for aptX features you can’t use with Apple devices.

Active noise cancellation: Decide whether ANC is essential for your lifestyle. The Momentum True Wireless 4 and Accentum True Wireless offer excellent ANC, while the CX True Wireless and Sport models rely on passive isolation. ANC is valuable for commutes and air travel but adds cost and reduces battery life.

Battery life: Consider your daily usage patterns. All Sennheiser models offer solid battery life, but if you frequently have long days away from charging, Sport True Wireless’ 9-hour runtime excels. Remember that ANC reduces battery life by one to two hours.

Water resistance: Most Sennheiser earbuds offer IPX4 (splash-resistant) or IP54 (dust and splash-resistant) ratings. For gym use or running, opt for at least IP54 protection like Sport or Accentum True Wireless.

App features: The Sennheiser Smart Control app works well with iOS across all models. Look for features that matter to you: custom EQ, Sound Personalization, Sound Zones and touch control customization.

Budget: Sennheiser offers options from about $99 to $300. The flagship Momentum True Wireless 4 deliver the ultimate experience, but the Accentum True Wireless at $199 offer exceptional value with most premium features intact. Budget-conscious buyers should consider the CX True Wireless for genuine Sennheiser sound quality.

Conclusion: Best Sennheiser earbuds for iPhone owners

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 remain our top recommendation for iPhone users who demand uncompromising audio quality and premium features. At $300, they’re an investment, but the exceptional sound, effective ANC and future-proof technology make them worth every penny for serious listeners. For those seeking better value, the Accentum True Wireless at $199 deliver remarkable performance with the same drivers and similar features at a much lower price.

Active iPhone users should seriously consider the Sport True Wireless for their secure fit and exceptional battery life, while budget-conscious buyers can’t go wrong with the CX True Wireless at $129 — proving that Sennheiser’s acoustic expertise extends across their entire lineup. Whatever your budget or needs, Sennheiser offers iPhone-compatible earbuds that significantly outperform competitors in sound quality, making them a smart choice for Apple users who value audio excellence over ecosystem integration.

Also check out our recent guides to the best Sony headphones for iPhone and the best noise-canceling headphones.

In the evolving landscape of wireless charging, Ugreen has positioned itself at the forefront with the MagFlow 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger — one of the first products to receive official Qi2.2 certification from the Wireless Power Consortium. With that boost from 15 watts (Qi2) to 25W (Qi2.2) for late-model iPhones, it’s great — but not without some minor problems.

Ugreen MagFlow 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger review

Pocket-size

Ugreen MagFlow 25W 3-in-1 Wireless Charger

$99.99

This foldable, magnetic Qi2 travel charger suits iPhone 16/15/14/13/12, AirPods and Apple Watch. Charges iPhone at 25 watts.

Pros:

• Charges iPhone fast at 25W
• Powers up three devices
• Folds down for charging

Cons:

• Might be too bulky for your pants pocket

Buy from Amazon

05/27/2026 06:14 pm GMT

Getting a jump on many competitors as the market starts to move from Qi2 chargers to Qi2.2 chargers, Ugreen rolled out the MagFlow 3-in-1 along a great power bank and some other products in early September. After extensive testing, this comprehensive review of the MagFlow 3-in-1 charger explores whether this compact premium charging station justifies its price point and delivers on its ambitious promises.

Note that the price shown in the boxes may not update to the current sale price, but you’ll see it when you click through ($139.99 $99.99).

Table of contents: Ugreen MagFlow 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger review

• Design and build quality
• Charging performance and Qi2.2 technology
• Multi-device charging capabilities
• Thermal management and safety
• What’s in the box and value proposition
• Compatibility considerations
• The verdict: Premium performance with notable caveats

Design and build quality

The MagFlow 3-in-1 immediately impresses with its premium aesthetic. Though small, the charger features a hefty, substantial feel that conveys quality, with the weight helping ensure devices won’t easily tip or slide off during use. The design combines an adjustable tilt and rotation system that can function as a desk mount, with the stand supporting 70-degree tilt adjustment and 360-degree rotation.

The charging station comes in a single space gray color and maintains a compact profile in its default state, with the phone charging spot capable of lying flat or tilting up to 70 degrees. The aluminum construction and thoughtful engineering create a product that feels distinctly premium. But the hinge quality could be a little higher, perhaps.

The foldable design represents both a strength and weakness. The charger folds up nicely for travel, making it portable enough for those who need a multi-device charging solution on the go. However, the hinge on the phone charger, while staying in position once set, doesn’t move as fluidly as some competing options. It feels a little stiff. 

Charging performance and Qi2.2 technology

At the heart of the MagFlow 3-in-1 is its Qi2.2 certification, representing cutting-edge wireless charging technology. The charger delivers a total wireless output power of 25W maximum, with the iPhone receiving 15W and both the Apple Watch and AirPods receiving 5W each. This represents a significant advance over standard Qi charging.

During testing, the charger achieved 10 percent charge in just 10 minutes, showing respectable charging speeds. The Qi2.2 standard builds upon Apple’s MagSafe architecture with improved magnetic alignment and enhanced heat control for safer, more efficient charging.

The magnetic hold is generally strong and reliable. The charger features powerful magnets that provide a secure attachment, giving users peace of mind during use. I found the charging platform gripped my iPhone 16 Pro tightly in its Mujjo leather case. It’s a MagSafe-compatible case. 

Multi-device charging capabilities

The three-device simultaneous charging is where the MagFlow truly shines for Apple ecosystem users. The charging station seamlessly charges iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously, making it an ideal all-in-one solution for bedside tables or desks.

The dedicated Apple Watch charging puck is retractable, contributing to the clean, organized aesthetic when not in use.

Thermal management and safety

Ugreen has implemented comprehensive safety features in the MagFlow 3-in-1. The ThermalGuard system monitors temperatures in real time and cuts power if the stand becomes too warm, with eight layers of protection including overcurrent, short-circuit and foreign object detection. The fire-rated PC and ABS shell construction adds another layer of safety assurance.

During extended charging sessions, the station heated up slightly but not enough to cause concern about device overheating. Some reviewers mentioned detecting a faint humming sound during operation. That could come from internal cooling mechanisms that help maintain safe operating temperatures.

What’s in the box and value proposition

One significant advantage over some competitors comes in what Ugreen includes. In the package I found a 30W USB-C charger and compatible cable, which many competing chargers omit. So this comes as a complete solution out of the box.

However, the included 45W power adapter is slightly bulky. It might not always fit comfortably into power strips shared with other plugs.

The pricing presents a complex value equation. The charger carries a list price of $99, though various retailers offer discounts. At around one hundred forty dollars at some retailers, it represents a premium investment, positioning it against established competitors like Belkin’s UltraCharge Pro and Nimble’s Fold 3-in-1.

Real-world usage and practicality

The adjustable viewing angles make the MagFlow 3-in-1 practical for various scenarios. The stand supports hands-free use for FaceTime calls, video watching or desk work while maintaining charging functionality. The ability to position the phone both vertically and horizontally adds versatility for different content types. iPhone in Standby mode with a clock and other widgets works nicely. 

One notable inconvenience mentioned in the safety instructions requires users to unplug the wireless charger from the power supply after each charging session, which could become tedious for those who prefer leaving chargers perpetually connected. Hard to say if it’s really necessary to unplug it every time. 

Compatibility considerations

The charger fully complies with Qi2 wireless charging standards. But the messy state of Qi2-compatible phones could present challenges. Few devices beyond MagSafe iPhones have built-in magnets for vertical positioning without cases or accessories.

So for users of older iPhone and many Android phones, the value proposition diminishes.

The verdict: Premium performance with notable caveats

Ugreen MagFlow 3-in-1 Qi2.2 Magnetic Wireless Charger represents impressive engineering and future-forward technology, but it’s not without compromises. For those seeking hassle-free multi-device charging with elegant design, it simplifies daily life and makes travel easier. But at about $100, it’s not cheap. 

While the charger performs as advertised and achieves its quoted charging rates, some users might take issue with the somewhat-large power adapter, occasionally stiff hinge and potential low-grade humming sound.

But for dedicated Apple ecosystem users who value the convenience of charging multiple devices simultaneously with cutting-edge Qi2.2 technology, this represents one of the best MagSafe-compatible 3-in-1 chargers currently available. 

The MagFlow 3-in-1 succeeds as a sophisticated, future-proofed charging solution that elegantly solves the multi-device charging problem. Whether it’s worth the investment depends on how deeply embedded you are in the Apple ecosystem and how much you value having the latest wireless charging technology on your desk or nightstand.

Pocket-size

Ugreen MagFlow 25W 3-in-1 Wireless Charger

$99.99

This foldable, magnetic Qi2 travel charger suits iPhone 16/15/14/13/12, AirPods and Apple Watch. Charges iPhone at 25 watts.

Pros:

• Charges iPhone fast at 25W
• Powers up three devices
• Folds down for charging

Cons:

• Might be too bulky for your pants pocket

Buy from Amazon

05/27/2026 06:14 pm GMT

Buy from: Amazon

★★★★☆

Ugreen provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

It’s the ultimate battle of the small Mac keyboards: Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard. Choosing between these two premium compact keyboards is tough, and the decisions you make can significantly impact your daily typing experience and productivity.

They’ve both become top contenders for professionals and tech enthusiasts alike. And while they’re similar, they’re not the same.

Find out which is better for you in our head-to-head comparison. 

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard

Our pick	 
Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac wireless keyboard	Apple Magic Keyboard
$95.90	$99.00
Pros: Metal build Backlighting Apple compatibility	Pros: Pairs automatically with Mac Comfortable and precise typing experience Wireless and rechargeable Long-lasting internal battery
Cons: Sturdy but a bit heavy	Cons: No RGB backlighting No multidevice pairing
Buy from Amazon	Buy from Amazon

Our pick

Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac wireless keyboard

$95.90

Pros:

• Metal build
• Backlighting
• Apple compatibility

Cons:

• Sturdy but a bit heavy

Buy from Amazon

Apple Magic Keyboard

$99.00

Pros:

• Pairs automatically with Mac
• Comfortable and precise typing experience
• Wireless and rechargeable
• Long-lasting internal battery

Cons:

• No RGB backlighting
• No multidevice pairing

Buy from Amazon

While both of these popular keyboards offer sleek designs and wireless functionality, they differ substantially in key aspects. Logitech’s MX Keys Mini for Mac features spherical key indentations with smart backlighting, whereas Apple’s Magic Keyboard emphasizes the company’s minimalist approach with an ultra-thin profile. (Those who prefer Apple’s compact keyboard also can choose a version with Touch ID.)

For many users, the decision comes down to typing comfort, battery performance and ecosystem compatibility. Whether you’re a Mac devotee or someone who switches between multiple devices, understanding these differences is crucial before investing in a productivity keyboard.

In this keyboard comparison, we’ll examine everything from tactile feedback to multidevice connectivity, helping you determine which of these wireless keyboards deserves a spot on your desk for daily use.

Table of contents: Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard

• Typing experience, ergonomics overall design
  • Typing feedback: Tactile feel and sound
  • Key layout familiarity
  • Ergonomics and comfort
  • Wrist support compatibility
  • Weight and desk stability
• Backlighting and visibility
  • Adaptive lighting: Proximity sensors vs. none
  • Manual brightness control options
• Battery life and charging
  • Power efficiency with and without backlight

• Connectivity and compatibility
• Conclusion: Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard

Typing experience, ergonomics and overall design

The fundamental difference between the Logitech MX Keys Mini and Apple Magic Keyboard stems from the companies’ philosophies regarding physical design. These contrasting approaches to key construction directly influence how your fingers interact with each device during extended typing sessions.

The MX Keys Mini features distinctive, spherically dished keys specifically crafted to match the shape of human fingers. The ergonomic design creates a natural cradle for each fingertip, allowing them to settle comfortably into the keys. In contrast, the Apple Magic Keyboard employs a completely flat key surface consistent with Apple’s minimalist design language. That invites a super-light touch.

Key travel — the distance a key moves when pressed — differs notably between these two keyboards. Apple’s Magic Keyboard offers extremely shallow key travel, prioritizing a sleek profile. Using it will feel quite similar to using a MacBook. Conversely, the MX Keys Mini provides slightly more key travel, striking a balance between laptop-style keys and traditional mechanical switches.

For many typists, this difference proves critical. The MX Keys Mini’s spherical indentations help prevent finger slippage and improve typing accuracy through tactile positioning. 

Typing feedback: Tactile feel and sound

Both keyboards deliver distinct feedback experiences. The Logitech MX Keys Mini provides what many describe as a more satisfying tactile response with rounded key edges, so it doesn’t matter where you strike the key. Additionally, the matte coating applied to each key allows fingers to glide across the surface.

Regarding noise levels, both keyboards maintain professional-friendly sound profiles. Neither produces disruptive clicking — an important consideration for office environments or video calls. However, MX Keys Mini tends to be even quieter than Apple’s Magic Keyboard.

The overall typing feel on MX Keys Mini is comfortable and precise with firm keys. For users transitioning from mechanical keyboards, this firmness provides a familiar sensation, though those accustomed to Apple’s softer Magic Keyboard might require an adjustment period.

Key layout familiarity

For Mac users, keyboard layout familiarity often influences purchasing decisions. Both keyboards feature full-size arrow keys — an improvement over the miniaturized versions found on some other models. However, key placement differs in several important aspects.

Apple’s Magic Keyboard maintains perfect consistency with MacBook layouts, requiring zero adjustment for existing Mac users. MX Keys Mini, though designed with Mac compatibility, places the Command and Option keys differently on the right side of the keyboard. For instance, on the right-hand side of the MX Keys Mini, only the Command and Option keys are present, not Control.

Function keys represent another distinction. The MX Keys Mini uses F1-F3 keys for device switching between paired computers or tablets — a feature absent on the Magic Keyboard. Furthermore, the Logitech keyboard offers key remapping through its Logi Options+ software, though with limitations (primarily affecting the function keys).

For users who frequently switch between operating systems, Logitech MX Keys Mini provides multidevice pairing via Bluetooth, making it more versatile for cross-platform work compared to Apple’s ecosystem-focused Magic Keyboard, which you must manually unpair and re-pair.

Ergonomics and comfort: Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard

Ergonomic considerations play a crucial role for users spending extended hours typing. Logitech MX Keys Mini and Apple Magic Keyboard offer distinct approaches to hand comfort and desk positioning.

The angle at which a keyboard sits affects wrist health during prolonged typing sessions. According to a study on how keyboard slope and height affect wrist extension angle, a flat or even negative incline can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Between these two premium compact keyboards, there’s a measurable difference. Apple Magic Keyboard features a 2.8-degree angle, considerably less than the Logitech MX Keys Mini’s 6.5-degree slope.

Despite conventional wisdom suggesting steeper angles might be better, some research indicates lower elevations actually reduce wrist strain. Consequently, the Magic Keyboard’s flatter profile theoretically offers better ergonomic positioning, especially for remote workers who typically sit for extended periods.

Nevertheless, real-world user experiences sometimes contradict these findings. Many users report MX Keys’ steeper angle feels more natural for hand positioning. This discrepancy highlights how individual ergonomic preferences can vary despite scientific measurements.

The height difference is equally noteworthy — MX Keys for Mac measures 0.81 inches (2.05 cm) tall, whereas the Magic Keyboard ranges from 0.16 to 0.43 inches (0.41 to 1.09 cm). Apple’s commitment to thinness, although aesthetically pleasing, doesn’t necessarily translate to ergonomic superiority for all users.

Wrist support compatibility

Given that neither keyboard includes built-in wrist support, third-party options become essential for many users. Logitech offers a dedicated MX Palm Rest specifically designed for thin keyboards, including MX Keys Mini. The accessory provides firm but comfortable wrist support that keeps hands in a relaxed position for extended typing sessions.

For Apple’s Magic Keyboard, numerous third-party options exist, though user experiences vary dramatically. Customer reviews for popular Magic Keyboard wrist rests reveal inconsistent quality. Some users report excellent comfort, while others describe durability issues with seams splitting and gel leaking onto desks after only weeks of use.

User experiences suggest that combining the MX Keys with a quality wrist rest creates optimal ergonomic results.

Weight and desk stability

The substantial weight difference between these wireless keyboards affects both portability and stability. The Logitech MX Keys Mini weighs 17.86 ounces (506.4 grams). That’s nearly twice the Apple Magic Keyboard’s weight at just 8.16 ounces (231 grams).

This weight difference creates a trade-off: The Magic Keyboard offers superior portability, whereas the MX Keys Mini provides exceptional desk stability. The heavier Logitech keyboard, combined with its rubber feet, prevents unwanted movement during enthusiastic typing sessions.

Although MX Keys Mini is significantly heavier, it’s still a fairly light keyboard that remains manageable when moving between a keyboard tray and desktop. Unless extreme portability is a primary concern, the stability benefits could outweigh the additional heft for daily typing.

Backlighting and visibility: Logitech MX Keys mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard

Visibility in low-light environments represents a major differentiator when comparing premium compact keyboards. Logitech MX Keys Mini and Magic Keyboard diverge substantially in this aspect, with one offering sophisticated illumination and the other prioritizing battery efficiency through omission.

One clear advantage Logitech MX Keys Mini holds versus the Apple Magic Keyboard is the inclusion of white backlighting. This feature proves invaluable for night owls and professionals working in dimly lit environments. Apple does not produce any standalone keyboard with backlighting. That’s a significant functional gap between these two premium options.

The backlighting implementation on MX Keys Mini isn’t merely an afterthought — it’s a core design element that enhances usability in changing environments. For creative professionals like writers, coders and media editors, illumination proves particularly beneficial during evening work sessions. 

Adaptive lighting: Proximity sensors vs. none

Beyond simply offering illumination, MX Keys Mini incorporates sophisticated proximity sensing technology. The keyboard detects when your hands approach and automatically illuminates the keys precisely when needed. This smart illumination system works remarkably well in practice. It creates a seamless experience that feels surprisingly intuitive.

And the embedded ambient light sensor does more than detect hands. It also reads and adapts backlighting levels according to environmental conditions. In low-light settings under 100 lux, the keyboard automatically activates backlighting at 50% brightness (level 4). Conversely, in bright environments exceeding 100 lux, the system disables backlighting entirely since the contrast becomes unnecessary. In this way, it intelligently preserves battery life.

This automated system ensures backlighting remains active for five minutes after typing, maintaining visibility without requiring constant interaction. Naturally, proximity detection temporarily deactivates during charging sessions, requiring a keypress to activate illumination.

Manual brightness control options

Despite its automated capabilities, MX Keys Mini offers extensive manual control over backlighting. The keyboard features eight distinct brightness levels that users can adjust based on personal preference. These adjustments happen in real time, providing immediate visual feedback.

For users who prefer customization, Logitech Options software enables complete control over backlight brightness. This proves particularly useful for those who find the automatic settings too bright or too dim for their specific work environment.

Certain conditions will override manual settings, primarily:

• When battery levels fall below 10%, backlighting automatically disables to preserve remaining power.
• In environments brighter than 100 lux where backlighting would be imperceptible.
• If manually disabled through either keyboard shortcuts or software settings.

Ultimately, while backlighting significantly enhances usability in varied lighting conditions, it does impact battery performance. With illumination enabled, MX Keys Mini lasts approximately 10 days between charges. That’s significantly less than the impressive five-month battery life achieved with backlighting disabled. This substantial difference demonstrates the power requirements that likely influenced Apple’s decision to omit such a feature from its Magic Keyboard.

Battery life and charging

Battery performance is a critical factor when selecting between premium compact keyboards for daily use. Logitech MX Keys Mini and Apple Magic Keyboard demonstrate fundamentally different approaches to power management and charging technology.

The battery duration disparity between these wireless keyboards stems primarily from their feature sets. As mentioned, the Logitech MX Keys Mini offers 10 days of battery life with backlighting enabled on a full charge. Without backlighting, battery life extends dramatically to up to five months.

In contrast, Apple’s Magic Keyboard consistently delivers one month or more between charges. This substantial difference isn’t surprising, given that the Magic Keyboard lacks those power-hungry backlighting features entirely.

Surprisingly, real-world usage often yields better results than manufacturer specifications. Some MX Keys Mini users report:

• Approximately two to three weeks of regular use with backlighting.
• Minimal battery anxiety when using the keyboard daily. 

Meanwhile, Magic Keyboard users frequently experience unexpectedly long periods — sometimes months — before needing to recharge.

Charging port choices reflect each company’s broader ecosystem strategy. Logitech equipped MX Keys Mini with USB-C connectivity, offering several practical advantages.

First and foremost, USB-C supports significantly faster charging with Power Delivery capabilities up to 100 watts, compared to Lightning’s typical 20-watt limitation. Moreover, USB-C connections provide superior durability, rated for 10,000-plus insertion cycles.

The newest version of Apple’s Magic Keyboard uses a USB-C connector, but older models rely on a Lightning connector.

Power efficiency with and without backlight

Power management features substantially impact battery performance. MX Keys Mini employs sophisticated battery conservation techniques, including:

• Automatic backlight adjustment based on ambient lighting conditions.
• Low-power mode that disables backlighting when the battery falls below 10%.
• Intelligent backlight presets that adapt to the environment.

For travelers and remote workers, these features prove invaluable. Simply turning off the backlight with the Logitech app before a trip ensures weeks of uninterrupted use.

Ultimately, both keyboards deliver impressive battery performance relative to their features. Your choice depends on whether extended battery life outweighs the practical benefits of backlighting in your daily workflow.

Connectivity and compatibility

Multidevice functionality fundamentally separates these premium compact keyboards, offering distinct approaches for users who juggle between multiple computers or tablets throughout their workday.

Logitech MX Keys Mini implements the company’s Easy Switch technology. It allows users to instantly toggle between devices with a simple button press. This feature eliminates the tedious process of manually handling Bluetooth connections. In contrast, Apple’s Magic Keyboard requires complete disconnection and manual reconnection when switching between devices.

Perhaps the most striking difference between these wireless keyboards is their capacity for simultaneous connections. MX Keys Mini supports pairing with up to three different devices simultaneously, enabling users to switch between them using the dedicated F1, F2 and F3 keys. But the Magic Keyboard connects exclusively to one computer at a time.

Regarding operating system compatibility, the keyboards diverge substantially. Logitech MX Keys Mini works with virtually all major platforms, including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, Android and popular Linux distributions. Apple Magic Keyboard, primarily designed for Apple ecosystems, is fully compatible with macOS, iPadOS and iOS. It will work with Android devices through Bluetooth, but you won’t be able to use Touch ID and Function keys may not work as expected.

For Mac users with FileVault encryption enabled, Logitech recommends using its included USB receiver rather than a Bluetooth connection for initial login. Importantly, the MX Keys Mini’s firmware automatically detects the operating system in use, adapting itself to send appropriate commands to each platform. That makes it remarkably versatile for cross-platform workflows.

Conclusion: Logitech MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard

Choosing between the Logitech MX Keys Mini and Apple Magic Keyboard ultimately depends on your specific needs and workflow. Both keyboards excel in different areas, offering unique advantages for daily typing.

The MX Keys Mini stands out with its spherical key indentations that cradle your fingertips, providing tactile feedback many users find more comfortable for extended typing sessions. Additionally, smart backlighting with proximity sensors proves invaluable for working in varied lighting conditions. But perhaps most significantly, the ability to connect with up to three devices across multiple operating systems makes this keyboard exceptionally versatile for users who regularly switch between computers or tablets.

Buy from: Amazon or Logitech

Light but solid

Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac wireless keyboard

$95.90

This minimalist wireless illuminated keyboard is compact. It features Bluetooth, backlit keys, USB-C connectivity and a metal build. It's compatible with MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac and iPad.

Pros:

• Metal build
• Backlighting
• Apple compatibility

Cons:

• Sturdy but a bit heavy

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Logitech

05/28/2026 01:14 am GMT

Conversely, Magic Keyboard offers unparalleled integration within the Apple ecosystem. It features a consistent layout identical to MacBook keyboards. Its flatter profile theoretically provides better ergonomics for wrist positioning. And its impressive month-long battery life eliminates frequent charging concerns. The ultra-thin design also makes it substantially lighter and more portable.

Buy from: Amazon or Apple

Still good!

Apple Magic Keyboard Wireless (Lightning)

4.5

$103.44

Don’t use a poor-quality keyboard when Apple makes a premium one that’ll last for years.

It’s wireless, so no unnecessary cables. And includes a row of useful function keys

Pros:

• Premium quality
• No wasted space
• Useful function keys added

Cons:

• Lightning, not USB-C

Buy from Amazon

05/29/2026 09:16 am GMT

The PNY Duo Link V3 external SSD includes both a USB-C and a USB-A connector. That means the flash drive can plug into a recent Mac, iPad or iPhone, but can also go into a smart TV or other accessory that lacks a USB-C port — no adapter needed.

And it’s quick, with data transfers at up to 800MB/s. Capacities go up to 2 terabytes.

I put the affordable SSD through a series of real-world tests. Here’s what I found.

PNY Duo Link V3 review

External SSDs that plug into your Mac are a simple way to add capacity at a price well below what Apple charges for built-in storage. And while ones with USB-C are the best option for Mac, iPad and iPhone, many other computers and home electronics still support only the older, clunkier USB-A. That requires an adapter.

But the PNY Duo Link V3 has a USB-C connector on one end and a USB-A connector on the other in a metal swivel design. It’s ready to go into whatever device you need it to, like older PCs, no adapter needed.

The SSD does double duty: both additional storage and also a way to easily move files around. Apple offers iCloud to handle these jobs, but a physical drive is more private and secure, and doesn’t require an internet connection.

USB-C and USB-A together

PNY Duo Link V3 external SSD

4.5

$133.37

Easily store & transfer sophisticated data across devices with the versatile dual Type-A & Type-C️ connectors — ideal for on-the-go advanced tech users.

Pros:

• USB-C and USB-A
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 for fast file transfers
• Small, metal outer casing

Cons:

• Not Thunderbolt/USB4

Buy from Amazon

05/26/2026 07:17 pm GMT

Table of contents: PNY Duo Link V3 review

• Two portable SSDs in one
• Ready for all your computers
• Speedy SSD performance
• PNY Duo Link V3 review: Final thoughts
• Pricing

Two portable SSDs in one

The PNY Duo Link V3 is a thumb-size drive with a USB-C connector on one end and a USB-A connector on the other. It’s a simple design, and the traditional one for drives of this type because it works.

It’s such a simple advantage it’s easy to overlook: no cables are needed, which isn’t true for some rival portable SSDs. Just plug this peripheral in and it’s ready to go.

The unit measures 3.1 inches by 0.7 inches by 0.4 inches, and weighs a mere 1.5 ounces. Small enough to attach to your keys. It’s also slim enough that I can plug it into the USB-C port in a MacBook and there’s room to plug a cable in the port next to it.

PNY included a swiveling cover so that one of the Duo Link V3’s connectors gets some protection. However, when carrying the SSD around, the other connector is always exposed. A port cover should have been included — one of my very few criticisms of the product.

But don’t think that means it’s fragile. If you’re unfamiliar with PNY, you might think the product uses a cheap plastic casing. Nothing of the sort. It’s completely sheathed in metal, and feels very solid — it survived me standing on it. I mostly want a connector cover to keep lint and grit out of the connectors.

Ready for all your computers

I tested the PNY Duo Link V3’s USB-C connector with all my Apple computers — even my iPhone — and it performed beautifully.

Then I plugged it into legacy devices with USB-A ports. My Roku smart TV could read it, no problem. I dug out an old Windows PC and it also was immediately able to access the contents of the drive.

I didn’t expect any problems as the drive is formatted in ExFAT, a format intended for Windows, macOS and more.

Speedy SSD performance

PNY promises up to 1000 MBps read and up to 800MBps write. For you experts, that’s USB 3.2 Gen 2. I tested real-world performance, of course.

Copying a 10GB test file to the SSD, data moved at the promised 800MBps. Copying data off went a bit slower: about 500 MBps.

For real-world results, this is quite impressive. The only drives I know of that run faster use USB4 or Thunderbolt and cost about 3X as much.

PNY Duo Link V3 review: Final thoughts

Portable SSDs make sense for so many reasons. They’re far cheaper than built-in storage, can be used with multiple devices, and let you very quickly transfer huge files between your computers. This one from PNY is ready for all three jobs. It’s very affordable, tough enough to ride around in a backpack between classes, and is fast enough to easily handle hefty files. Plus, it holds up to 2 terabytes despite its svelte size.

★★★★☆

As good as this SSD is — and it’s very good — professionals for whom time is money might consider going with an even faster portable SSD, like the recently released LaCie Rugged SSD4, which I also reviewed. It costs significantly more, though.

Pricing

The cost of the PNY Duo Link V3 varies by capacity, but all the variants are quite competently priced. Their regular prices are about the same or lower than what rival SSDs go for during limited-time deals.

Buy the PNY Duo Link V3 now from Amazon:

• 256GB: $34.99
• 512GB: $49.99
• 1TB: $81.99
• 2TB: $154.99

USB-C and USB-A together

PNY Duo Link V3 external SSD

4.5

$133.37

Easily store & transfer sophisticated data across devices with the versatile dual Type-A & Type-C️ connectors — ideal for on-the-go advanced tech users.

Pros:

• USB-C and USB-A
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 for fast file transfers
• Small, metal outer casing

Cons:

• Not Thunderbolt/USB4

Buy from Amazon

05/26/2026 07:17 pm GMT

PNY provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

Finding the perfect Sony headphones for iPhone might seem challenging when Apple pushes its own audio ecosystem so heavily. This comprehensive guide examines each model’s features, pros, cons and pricing to help you find the perfect match for your specific needs and budget. Let’s dive into what makes these Sony headphones exceptional companions for your iPhone.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Best Sony headphones for iPhone users

Despite not being part of the Apple family, Sony headphones actually work exceptionally well with iPhones. I’ve identified eight Sony headphones that deliver outstanding iPhone compatibility.

From premium noise cancellation to incredible sound quality, these options rival even Apple’s own offerings. While AirPods certainly have their advantages, Sony’s advanced audio technology and comfortable designs make them worth considering instead of automatically defaulting to Apple-branded products.

Table of contents: Best Sony headphones for iPhone users

• Best overall over-ear headphones
• Best overall earbuds
• Best on a budget
• Best for bass lovers
• Best for audio pros and audiophiles
• Best for gamers
• Best for lightweight comfort
• Best budget ANC option
• Conclusion

Best overall headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones

Sony’s newest flagship headphones offer a blend of premium features and sophisticated design, though iPhone users should note some compatibility considerations. Released in May 2025, the WH-1000XM6 builds upon the legacy of Sony’s renowned noise-canceling lineup with noteworthy improvements.

WH-1000XM6 key features

WH-1000XM6 features industry-leading noise cancelation powered by the new QN3 processor that’s 7x faster than previous models. These headphones analyze external noise in real-time using 12 microphones for precise sound isolation. Additionally, they include Bluetooth 5.3 with support for LDAC, AAC, SBC and LC3 codecs. The battery delivers approximately 31.75 hours of continuous playback with noise cancelation enabled. Furthermore, the new “Cinema Mode” provides enhanced spatial audio for movies and TV content.

Who is WH-1000XM6 best for?

Given their strengths and limitations, these headphones excel for iPhone users who prioritize noise cancellation and sound quality for music listening. Conversely, they’re less ideal for those who frequently make calls or attend virtual meetings due to audio quality limitations during iPhone calls. They’re officially compatible with all iPhone models from iPhone 8 through iPhone 15 Pro Max.

WH-1000XM6 pricing

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones retail for $449.99 and come in three color options: black, blue and silver. You might find them slightly discounted on Amazon.

Buy from: Amazon

Top ANC cans

Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

$398.00

Sony simply calls these "the best" noise-canceling headphones. They feature great sound, HD NC Processor QN3, 12 microphones, Adaptive NC Optimizer and 30-hour battery life. Choice of black, blue and silver colors.

Pros:

• Market leading noise cancellation
• Excellent sound quality
• Easy wireless connectivity

Cons:

• Relatively pricey

Buy from Amazon

05/27/2026 10:18 am GMT

Best overall earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony’s truly wireless WF-1000XM5 earbuds deliver premium sound in a compact package that works impressively with iPhones. Released in July 2023, these earbuds represent a significant evolution in Sony’s portable audio lineup.

WF-1000XM5 key features

WF-1000XM5 earbuds are 25% smaller and 20% lighter than their predecessors, making them more comfortable for extended wear. They feature dual processors dedicated to noise cancellation and audio processing. Their IPX4 rating provides protection against sweat and water splashes. Moreover, the Sony Headphones Connect app (available for iOS) offers customizable features including a five-band equalizer, Speak-to-Chat and Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts noise cancellation based on your environment and activity.

Who is WF-1000XM5 best for?

These are particularly suitable for iPhone users who prioritize noise cancellation and comfort. The earbuds excel at delivering rich sound quality through their 8.4 mm drivers, making them ideal for music enthusiasts who desire premium wireless earbuds regardless of ecosystem.

WF-1000XM5 pricing

Sony WF-1000XM5 retail for $329.99 and come in black, silver and smoky pink color options.

Buy from: Amazon

Outstanding noise cancellation

Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds

$278.00

Sony's top noise-cancelling earbuds are made from recycled plastic materials. In addition to top active noise canceling (ANC), they feature clear Bluetooth signal and adaptive sound control with artificial intelligence.

Pros:

• Among the strongest buds for noise cancellation
• Excellent audio quality
• AI-assisted adaptive sound control

Cons:

• A new version may come out soon

Buy from Amazon

05/26/2026 12:15 pm GMT

Best on a budget: Sony WH-CH520 on-ear headphones

For budget-conscious iPhone users, Sony WH-CH520 headphones offer impressive features at an affordable price point. These on-ear wireless headphones balance cost with performance, making them an excellent entry-level option.

WH-CH520 key features

WH-CH520 boasts an extraordinary battery life of up to 50 hours on a single charge. A quick three-minute charge provides 1.5 hours of playback time. The headphones support multipoint connection, allowing simultaneous connection to two Bluetooth devices. Furthermore, they feature a digital sound enhancement engine that improves compressed music files by restoring high-frequency elements. These headphones also work with the Sony’s Sound Connect app, enabling sound customization through a five-band graphic EQ.

Who is WH-CH520 best for?

Ideal for iPhone users seeking affordable wireless headphones with exceptional battery life. The headphones’ multipoint connection capability makes them perfect for switching between devices throughout the day. However, since they lack active noise cancellation, they’re best suited for casual listening in quieter environments rather than noisy commutes or travel.

WH-CH520 pricing

Sony WH-CH520 headphones typically retail for $69.99 — though they’re currently marked down to $38 on Amazon. They come in multiple color options: black, white, blue, pink and butter yellow.

Buy from: Amazon

Compact

Sony WH-CH520 on-ear headphones

$68.00

Sony's compact wireless on-ear headphones feature Bluetooth connectivity, a microphone and long battery life.

Pros:

• Exceptional 50-hour battery life
• Lightweight, comfortable design
• Clear call quality with built-in microphone
• Multipoint connection capability
• Customizable sound via app

Cons:

• No active noise cancellation
• Limited noise isolation with on-ear design
• No 3.5mm jack option
• On-ear fit may cause discomfort with glasses

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 05:16 am GMT

Best for bass lovers: Sony Ult Wear over-ear headphones

The Ult Wear headphones represent Sony’s bass-focused series that bridges the gap between budget options and premium models. Released in 2023, these over-ear headphones cater specifically to bass enthusiasts without sacrificing essential features.

Ult Wear key features

Ult Wear’s standout feature is the dedicated ULT button that offers two levels of bass enhancement. These headphones utilize dual noise sensor technology paired with Sony’s V1 processor for effective noise cancellation. Furthermore, they use 40 mm drivers specifically designed for deeper bass reproduction. Battery life extends to 30 hours with noise cancellation enabled and 50 hours without, although some testing has measured slightly more at 44 hours. A quick three-minute charge provides 90 minutes of playback.

Who is Ult Wear best for?

Ideal for iPhone users who prioritize bass-forward sound and effective noise cancellation. Their comfortable fit and excellent battery performance make them perfect for commuters, office workers or anyone seeking powerful bass without premium pricing.

Ult Wear pricing

Sony Ult Wear headphones retail for $249.99 and come in three colors: black, off-white and forest gray.

Buy from: Amazon

Midrange pick

Sony Ult Wear over-ear headphones

$148.00

Sony's midrange over-ear noise canceling Bluetooth headphones include Alexa built-in, comfortable design, 30-hour battery life and big bass sound.

Pros:

• Exceptional full-range noise isolation
• Comfortable thermo-foaming cushions
• Foldable design with solid carrying case
• Microphone with noise cancellation

Cons:

• Bass-heavy sound signature by default
• No ingress protection rating for moisture
• Bass can sound loose or muddy
• Not as sleek as flagship XM5/XM6 model

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 05:16 am GMT

Best for audio pros and audiophiles: Sony MDR-MV1 open-back headphones

Unlike Sony’s consumer-oriented models, the MDR-MV1 headphones bring professional studio monitor capabilities to iPhone users seeking reference-quality sound. These open-back headphones offer audiophile-grade performance. with features specifically designed for content creators.

MDR-MV1 key features

MDR-MV1 features an open-back design that accurately reproduces spatial information, primarily intended for mixing and mastering both spatial and stereo sound. Notably, these headphones deliver an exceptionally wide frequency response ranging from 5Hz to 80kHz, far exceeding typical headphones.

They use specially developed 40 mm drivers with a unique corrugated diaphragm design that helps reproduce sound positions and movements accurately in 360 degrees. The acoustic structure minimizes internal reflections and eliminates resonances, creating a more natural soundstage.

Who is MDR-MV1 best for?

Essentially ideal for iPhone users who need professional-grade audio monitoring capabilities. These headphones excel for music creators, audio engineers and serious audiophiles who appreciate spatial audio reproduction. With their 24-ohm impedance and 100dB/mW sensitivity, they work efficiently with iPhones without requiring additional amplification.

MDR-MV1 pricing

Sony MDR-MV1 headphones retail for $419.99, but often see discounts.

Buy from: Amazon

Studio worthy

Sony MDR-MV1 Open Back Reference Monitor Headphones

$338.00

Sony MDR-MV1 brings pro studio monitor capabilities to iPhone users seeking reference-quality sound. These open-back cans' features are specifically designed for content creators.

Pros:

• Lightweight at just 223 grams
• Sub-bass extension
• Comfortable memory-foam earpads

Cons:

• No carrying case included
• Cable requires a specific threaded end
• Sound leaks due to open-back design

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 05:16 am GMT

Best for gamers: Sony InZone H9 Gaming Headset

Designed for gaming enthusiasts who use iPhones alongside gaming consoles, Sony InZone H9 headphones offer specialized audio features in a distinctly PlayStation-inspired design. These headphones bridge the gap between mobile and gaming experiences with their dual connectivity capabilities.

InZone H9 key features

InZone H9 features personalized 360 Spatial Sound for precise opponent detection in games. The headphones’ Dual Noise Sensor Technology effectively blocks outside noise, yet includes an Ambient Sound Mode to stay aware of important sounds. Battery life reaches 32 hours with noise cancellation off and 20 hours with it enabled. Moreover, the headset supports both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connections simultaneously, allowing iPhone users to hear game audio while taking calls or using voice chat.

Who is InZone H9 best for?

Perfect for iPhone users who game on PlayStation 5 or PC. Since it connects to both gaming systems and mobile devices simultaneously, it’s ideal for gamers who need to stay accessible via phone while immersed in gameplay.

InZone H9 pricing

Originally priced at $329.99, the InZone H9 now typically sells for between $228 to $298. Used models can be found for as low as about $140. For a more premium option, try Sony InZone H9 II. 

Buy from: Amazon

Game on!

Sony InZone H9 Gaming Headset

$198.00

Sony's popular wireless noise canceling Bluetooth headset with microphone offers 360 Spatial Sound.

Pros:

• Precise spatial sound for competitive gaming
• Comfortable design
• Effective noise cancellation
• Feature-rich InZone Hub software

Cons:

• Plastic construction feels less premium
• Mid-tier microphone quality
• No wired connection option

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 07:17 am GMT

Best for lightweight comfort: Sony LinkBuds S

At just 4.8 grams per earbud, the Sony LinkBuds S combine ultralight design with impressive iPhone compatibility, making them ideal for users who prioritize comfort without sacrificing features.

LinkBuds S key features

LinkBuds S earbuds feature a 5 mm driver unit with a high-compliance diaphragm for rich bass despite their small size. Their Integrated Processor V1 enhances noise cancellation while reducing distortion. Battery life reaches six hours with ANC enabled, extending to 20 hours total with the charging case. A quick five-minute charge provides 60 minutes of playback. And these earbuds offer IPX4 water resistance against splashes and sweat.

Who are LinkBuds S earbuds best for?

Primarily perfect for iPhone users seeking all-day comfort with effective noise cancellation. Their secure fit makes them excellent for active lifestyles, appealing to commuters wanting both ambient awareness and noise isolation options.

LinkBuds S pricing

Sony LinkBuds S retail for $159.99. They’re available in black, white, Earth blue and violet.

Buy from: Amazon

Sony LinkBuds S wireless earbuds

$169.99

Sony's LinkBuds S wireless noise canceling earbud feature Alexa Built-in, Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with iPhone and Android.

Pros:

• Exceptionally lightweight design
• Noise cancellation with ambient sound mode
• Secure fit suitable for workouts
• Balanced sound profile
• Smart features like Speak-to-Chat and Adaptive Sound Control

Cons:

• No wireless charging capability
• Noise can interfere with microphone performance
• Case charges via USB-C only

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 07:17 am GMT

Best budget ANC option: Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones strike an impressive balance between affordability and performance for iPhone users seeking lightweight over-ear headphones with effective noise cancellation.

WH-CH720N key features

Weighing just 192 grams, the WH-CH720N headphones claim the title of Sony’s lightest wireless noise-canceling headband ever. The headphones use Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 for enhanced noise cancellation. Battery life extends to 35 hours with ANC enabled, stretching to 50 hours without. A quick three-minute charge provides 60 minutes of playback.

The headphones support the AAC codec for optimal iPhone compatibility, along with multipoint connection for simultaneous pairing with two devices. The Sony Headphones Connect app offers customization through a five-band EQ, DSEE upscaling and Adaptive Sound Control.

Who is WH-CH720N best for?

Primarily ideal for iPhone users seeking effective noise cancellation without premium pricing. Their lightweight design and exceptional battery life make them perfect for students, remote workers or anyone using headphones for extended periods. Generally suited for daily commutes, office environments and home use where comfort takes precedence over ultimate portability.

WH-CH720N pricing

Sony WH-CH720N headphones retail for $179.99, but can frequently be found for much less on Amazon (currently $98). The headphones come in three color options: black, white and blue.

Buy from: Amazon

Lightweight design

Sony WH-CH720N over-ear headphones

$98.00

Sony's WH-CH720N noise canceling wireless over-ear headphones include a microphone and Alexa built-in.

Pros:

• Lightweight design
• Solid noise cancellation
• 35-hour battery life
• Multipoint connection capability

Cons:

• Non-foldable design limits portability
• No carrying case included
• Bass- and treble-heavy sound signature

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 07:17 am GMT

Conclusion: Best Sony headphones for iPhone users

Finding the right Sony headphones for your iPhone ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget. Throughout this review, we’ve explored eight exceptional options that deliver outstanding performance despite coming from outside the Apple ecosystem.

Before making your final decision, consider your primary use cases. Will you wear these headphones primarily for commuting, working from home, creating content or gaming? Your answer will help determine which of these exceptional Sony headphones will best complement your iPhone experience.

The flagship WH-1000XM6 stands out with industry-leading noise cancellation and impressive battery life. WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer premium sound in a compact package. Budget-conscious users will appreciate the WH-CH520’s remarkable 50-hour battery and affordable price point. Bass enthusiasts should certainly consider Ult Wear, with its dedicated bass enhancement button.

For professional audio needs, MDR-MV1 delivers reference-quality sound, whereas gamers will benefit from the InZone H9’s spatial audio capabilities and dual connectivity. Additionally, the ultralight LinkBuds S excel for all-day comfort, and the WH-CH720N balances affordability with effective noise cancellation.

Nothing makes playing advanced games on an iPhone better than a Backbone game controller. Clip one to your phone, and it basically turns the handset into a mobile gaming console, ready to play wherever you go.

There are many top-quality first-person shooters and RPGs available for iPhone. Don’t waste your time playing these great games with just a touchscreen. Get a Backbone One or a Backbone Pro controller and snap it onto your iPhone. You’ll be glad you did.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Backbone controller: Make your iPhone act like a game console

If you’ve tried mobile gaming using only a touchscreen, it’s entirely possible that you quit in disgust. Keeping your fingers constantly in the right spots to move and shoot grows very frustrating. And AAA games include so many controls that you need more than just your thumbs to play properly.

Besides, when playing games on your console or PC, you don’t put your hands on the screen to control your character — you use a controller. You can enjoy that same experience when gaming on your iPhone with a Backbone controller.

These iPhone accessories wrap the familiar feel of a physical game controller around the phone. They give you access to the traditional sticks, triggers, D-pad … everything. The phone supplies the screen, so you don’t need to lug around a PC or a console. 

I’ve spent more hours than I can count with an Xbox or PlayStation controller in my hands, and a Backbone controller feels very much the same. On both the One and the Pro models, all the buttons, sticks and triggers are just where my fingers expect them to be. And the response time is excellent — I never have problems with lag. 

Using a Backbone controller works wonders with many console-quality games you can play on iPhone. The list of great titles includes Fortnite, of course, but also Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, multiple entries from the Resident Evil series, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and many more.

Backbone One or Backbone Pro? Get the right Backbone controller for your iPhone.

The Backbone One (USB-C) is the base model, but it still offers everything needed to enjoy AAA games on any recent iPhone. It plugs into the iPhone’s USB-C port and puts the controls on either side of the display so you’re ready to have fun, whether you’re in the break room at work, between classes, on the bus or plane … wherever.

I highly recommend it to gamers who don’t want to be stuck at home — read my Backbone One controller review to see why.

The Backbone One (USB-C) lists for $99.99. Make sure you get the second-generation version.

Purchase it from: Amazon or Backbone

Amazing iPhone game controller

Backbone One mobile gaming controller iPhone or Android

5.0

$159.99

Backbone One (USB-C) game controller adds real buttons, sticks and triggers to the newest iPhone models, and Androids too.

Pros:

• Controls are always responsive.
• Slim and light design
• Can adapt to iPhone cases

Cons:

• Grips are practically nonexistent

Read our hands-on review: Best clip-on game controller is ready for the latest iPhones

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Backbone

05/25/2026 03:16 pm GMT

Note: Those with an older iPhone with a Lightning port can pick up the previous version Backbone One with Lightning connector from Amazon.

Backbone Pro takes gaming up a level

The basic Backbone One definitely enhances your iPhone gaming, but Backbone Pro controller goes above and beyond with tri-mode connectivity. Yes, you can attach it to your handset, but it can also connect to your Mac or iPad via cable or Bluetooth. Support for more computers means more fun.

Plus, it adds remappable rear buttons to the Backbone One’s standard mix of sticks, triggers, D-pad and more.

I love mine — read my Backbone Pro review to see why.

The Backbone Pro is a premium product, so it lists for $169.99.

Buy it from: Amazon or Backbone

Backbone Pro Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone & Android

5.0

$169.99

Backbone Pro is built for players who demand more — more precision, more comfort, more freedom. Designed with full-sized ALPS joysticks, rear buttons, and a larger ergonomic shape, it delivers pro-level control for every session.

Pros:

• Packed with premium features
• Functional but also comfortable to hold
• Designed for handsets but can also be used with tablets, laptops and more

Cons:

• Expensive

Read our hands-on review: Backbone Pro makes the best iPhone game controller way, way better

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Backbone

05/28/2026 04:15 am GMT

I put AirPods’ new Live Translation feature to the test and came away impressed with the results. 

I tested the feature with the help of Niléane, a native French speaker and fellow tech blogger. While we hit a few stumbling blocks in our conversation, we were able to have a perfectly good chat for a solid 10 minutes.

I cut it down to a seven-minute video, where you can see it for yourself. Keep reading for my full thoughts and analysis of the fantastic new feature. 

AiPods Pro 3 Live Translation test

The AirPods’ new Live Translation feature grabbed headlines when Apple announced it — for good reason. Instant universal translators are the stuff of science fiction. And now Apple has made this a reality. But how well does it work?

The feature depends on Apple’s Translate app and it’s somewhat limited right now. AirPods Live Translation currently only works in French, English (U.S. and U.K.), German, Spanish and Portuguese. More languages are coming in iOS 26.1, though: Japanese, Korean, Italian and Chinese (both traditional and simplified).

It’s also not limited to Apple’s latest earbuds. Live Translation feature works with AirPods Pro 2 and 3, as well as AirPods 4 (with active noise cancellation). It requires an iPhone with Apple Intelligence (an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 or later) running iOS 26. 

Setting up an AirPods Live Translation test

To try out the feature, not knowing anybody who lives nearby who can speak fluent French, I set up a video call with someone who does. Niléane is a contributor to MacStories and hosts the Comfort Zone podcast — and is a fluent French native. I played her audio out loud through my speakers, so as far as the AirPods were concerned, I was talking to her in person.

But translation goes both ways — it also translates my English into French, which I can show someone on my phone screen. Niléane muted my audio, so she was dependent on reading my translations to simulate being a non-English speaker.

It took a while to get our setup ready, but it worked very well.

Live Translation quality

To my surprise, we seemed to have a very coherent conversation. The translations weren’t strictly accurate, but for the most part, we each understood what the other was trying to say.

For me, it felt like talking to an almost-fluent English speaker. Some of the translations were phrased a bit stiffly or robotically, but they were always intelligible. 

A few of the things I said, however, were misunderstood. One mistake came right at the beginning. I apologized for starting the conversation with a meandering “word salad,” but tried to recover by asking, “What is your favorite type of salad, while we’re at it?” That was translated as, “What’s your favorite type of salad when he’s a rabbit?” That obviously didn’t make much sense to Niléane.

But to be fair, I was intentionally trying to push the limits, talking completely naturally and somewhat quickly. (It’s also the sort of mistake that would be caught immediately.) If I were actually in France, I would probably try speaking in simpler sentences to ensure my English was easily translated.

It all depends on accurate transcriptions

Our little stumbling block is a good reminder that for Live Translation to work, it first needs to accurately turn your speech into text. If it mishears you in the first place, it’ll translate that mistake into something worse.

If you regularly use your iPhone to quickly dictate a text message, you probably already know that rushing through words in your natural speaking voice is exactly how to get the worst results. Live Translation with AirPods can fool you into forgetting that you’re actually talking to your computer.

It’s also a little slow

Another problem is somewhat inherent to the AirPods’ Live Translation technology: the awkward pause between when someone is done speaking and you’re still receiving (or waiting for) the translation. Some phrases change their meaning when you get to the end, and different languages often use different sentence structures, so the machine must wait until you finish talking before it can work its translation magic.

You can download languages to your iPhone, so you don’t need to worry about your cell signal slowing you down further. Although if you do this, accuracy will take a slight hit. You probably need to balance your connection with the importance of the conversation.

Live Translation with AirPods: Final thoughts after a thorough test

In our AirPods Live Translation test, Niléane and I pushed the system hard, and yet we still had a pretty good dialogue. There weren’t any obvious mistakes in the translations after that. We spoke about some of the differences in culture with regard to learning second languages in our countries, and why the AirPods Live Translation feature isn’t available for EU users. Finally, I had to hear her take on the iPhone 17 Pro’s cosmic orange color. 

I can imagine this being a handy tool the next time I travel abroad. 

Check out the other new features of the AirPods Pro 3 in my full review. 

Folder Quick Look is a totally free Mac app that scratches an irritating itch the Mac has had for a long time. It lets you preview the contents of a folder when using Quick Look.

It’s a great utility that does one thing, does it perfectly, and doesn’t cost you a dime — it’s free and collects no data! There’s no reason not to try out Folder Quick Look. Find out why it’s an instant must-have Mac utility in our Awesome Apps review below (or watch our video demo of the app).

Folder Quick Look fixes one of the Mac’s biggest limitations

Apple introduced Quick Look in 2007’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. The feature, which lets you hit the space bar to get a full-size preview of images, videos, documents, audio files and more, is fantastic — but it has one fatal flaw.

The problem is that QuickLook doesn’t let you preview a folder’s contents. You can hit the space bar to select a file inside a folder, and then use the arrow keys to navigate through all the other files there. But when you hit the space bar to select a folder, all you see is a big folder icon and its name. Not too handy.

Finally, a solution

Folder Quick Look fixes that. Install it, with no setup required, and when you Quick Look a folder, you will see a rich list view of its contents. You can sort through the list, and you can even view subfolders. 

The app has no launch window that bugs you, nor does it throw a useless icon up in the menu bar. It just silently makes your Mac better. 

If you do want to tweak some settings, though, you can. Hit Command-Space to open Spotlight and launch Folder Quick Look. (This screen shows instructions on how to enable Folder Quick Look’s system extension if, for whatever reason, the app doesn’t work out of the box.)

On the Quick Look tab, you can choose to show/hide hidden files, file extensions, subfolders and the file path. Personally, I set Displayed Folder Depth to 0 — I like how it loads faster, and I don’t find myself opening subfolders from the preview very often. 

No reason not to try it: Download Folder Quick Look for free

The Folder Quick Look app is totally free — no purchase price, no subscription, no in-app purchase. It doesn’t collect any user data. The app is made by independent developer Martin Lexow at App Ahead Studio. 

Price: Free
Download from: Mac App Store

Get more great Mac apps

Want more great Mac apps? Read Cult of Mac’s guides to some of the best around:

• These 6 apps will change how you use your Mac
• 5 best Mac apps to work from home
• How I supercharge window management on my Mac
• 12 must-have free Mac apps I always install first
• The 16 best Mac apps for all kinds of work and play

You won’t find a better way to track your dog than the new Halo Collar 5. It uses GPS to accurately locate your pup anywhere on Earth and can show you the location on your iPhone (or Android). Plus, it offers two days of battery life.

As a bonus feature, you can set up a “fence” so the collar warns your pet to stay in its yard. And you can place virtual fences anywhere you go.

I did real-world testing of the GPS dog tracker and came away very impressed.

Halo Collar 5 review

To a dog owner, there are few things more frightening than realizing your pet is missing. Dogs can really travel and get themselves thoroughly lost to the point where you never see them again. Plus, there are the dangers of cars, coyotes, other dogs … it’s a dangerous world out there.

That won’t happen if Sir Waggington is wearing a Halo Collar 5. It lets you locate them on a map so you can go straight to them.

Best GPS dog collar!

Halo Collar 5 GPS dog collar

5.0

$524.00

The new Halo Collar 5 GPS dog collar provides up-to-date, real-time location & activity tracking. The device also offers 48 hour battery life and a virtual fence system.

Pros:

• Real-time GPS location
• 2-day battery life

Cons:

• Too bulky for small dogs

Buy from Amazon

05/27/2026 09:22 am GMT

Table of contents: Halo Collar 5 review

• A GPS collar for medium to large dogs
• World-class GPS performance
• Worldwide connectivity
• Two days of battery life
• GPS dog fence
• Halo Collar 5 vs. Apple AirTag
• Halo Collar 5 review: Final thoughts final thoughts
• Pricing

A GPS collar for medium to large dogs

Halo Collar 5 is packed with features: GPS, a hefty battery, Wi-Fi, cellular-wireless connectivity, a speaker and more. All that equipment doesn’t fit in a small package.

The main unit of the device measures about 8 inches across and is slightly curved and flexible to fit more closely to your pet. Straps connect to its ends to form a collar.

Halo says it’s compatible with dogs with necks that measure from 8 inches to 30.5 inches, and that weigh over 20 pounds. Part of that is a fib — the neck needs to be about 18 inches at the least.

As you can see from my pictures above, the collar fits Sammy perfectly. He’s a medium-sized mutt with a thick neck.

But there’s no way Louis the dachshund (above) could use a Halo Collar 5. He’s simply too small. And don’t bother trying it with a cat unless you own a panther. That’s not criticism — Halo couldn’t make the device any smaller — just advice to potential buyers.

The rubberized straps built into the GPS dog tracker are adjustable, and there’s a clasp so it’s easily removable. That’s important because you’ll need to recharge the device a few times a week.

For the fashion-conscious who want more than basic black, Halo Collar 5 also comes in blue, pink, yellow and orange.

Don’t worry if Sir Barksalot loves to swim. The collar earned an IP67 rating, which means it can survive in water for up to half an hour.

World-class GPS performance

Suppose Mary Puppins escapes out your back door, takes a taxi to an airport, and flies to Las Vegas. You can immediately track her exact location with Halo Collar 5.

It includes GPS so you can see your pet’s exact location. In my testing, the Halo Collar app accurately showed me that my dog was, for example, in the far left corner of my backyard. It’s far better than an approximate location, and it’s updated constantly, so I have no doubt that I’d be able to go right where he is if he gets lost.

That said, GPS signals can be blocked by buildings. During my testing for this review, I wasn’t always able to get real-time updates on his exact location when the Halo Collar 5 was inside my house. That said, it could always show that the collar was somewhere in the correct building, and that would be enough to locate my lost dog if I needed to.

Worldwide connectivity

Halo Collar 5 has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for use around the home, but it also includes cellular-wireless connectivity. It can switch between AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile to get a signal, and then inform the app where your fuzzy buddy is. And Halo promises you can “track your dog’s location and activity anywhere in the world,” so clearly the collar can access carriers outside the United States.

Cellular connectivity is why you must have a service plan with Halo. Wireless carriers require payment, and you do so with a Pack Membership Plan from Halo. These start at $9.99 per month, or $102 per year.

Wherever I went, I was always able to locate the test collar while writing this review. The free Halo iPhone app clearly showed me on a map just where to find the GPS tracker, and also where I am in relation to it.

Two days of battery life

Halo promises 48 hours of use out of the collar, and that’s not marketing hype. If I charge my review unit one morning, it doesn’t need to be plugged in again for two full days.

I’d recommend trying to remember to charge it every day, so if you forget every now and then it won’t matter. But you really only have to juice up the Halo Collar 5 every other day.

The Halo iPhone app displays the current battery level as the number of hours left before needing a recharge. I found this to be accurate.

GPS dog fence

I suspect that a large majority of people interested in a GPS dog caller want to use it as a tracker. But Halo’s application can also be used to set up virtual fences around your home and the collar can then warn your dog not to cross them.

To be very clear, this is not a shock collar. Halo Collar 5 simply vibrates to alert your pet that they are approaching a no-go area. I tested to be sure.

What this means is that you need to train your dog to realize that its collar vibrating is a sign to stop. The Halo app gives plenty of advice on how to do this. “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan is one of the co-founders of the company, and his training suggestions are baked into the application.

The Halo Collar application makes it easy to set up a virtual fence around your home. Beyond that, if your dog is well trained, you can set up a fence anywhere you go, so Droolius Caesar knows to not leave the yard of the vacation home.

But this bears repeating: the usefulness of the Halo Collar 5 as a GPS fence depends entirely on you putting in lots of time training your pet. You can’t simply buy the collar, put it on your dog, then open the door and expect them to stay in your yard. But if you try it, at least you’ll be able to locate them wherever they go across town. Tracking works right out of the box.

Halo Collar 5 vs. Apple AirTag

A popular choice for pet tracking is Apple’s AirTag. For those weighing the two options, let’s consider its advantages and disadvantages versus Halo Collar 5.

AirTag comes out ahead in several categories. It’s small enough to put on the collar of a puppy or a cat. And they’re very affordable — about $25 or even less if you buy in bulk. No subscription is required. And the battery lasts a year.

But unlike Halo Collar 5, AirTag has no built-in GPS, so it can’t offer real-time tracking. Instead, an iPhone must pass near the tracker tag for its location to be shared. This can be any iPhone, not just the pet owner’s, so the device can be used to find a lost pet. But the system is not at all as reliable as a GPS dog collar.

I’ve used an AirTag to track down a missing cat, and it’s much harder than using a Halo Collar 5.

Halo Collar 5 review: Final thoughts

This is not a cheap GPS dog collar, but it’s the best. It lets you track your dog in real time, anywhere. And it lasts two days without needing a recharge.

It’s not for small dogs or puppies, though.

★★★★★

Pricing

Halo Collar 5 costs $599. Before you decide that’s too expensive, consider this scenario: Your dog has been missing overnight, you’ve looked for hours and can’t find them, and now you’re starting to fear you’ll never see them again. Would you pay $600 to have them back safe? Maybe pay the money now and have this nightmare never happen.

Buy it from: Amazon

As noted, a subscription from Halo is required. Pack Membership Plans start at $9.99 per month.

Best GPS dog collar!

Halo Collar 5 GPS dog collar

5.0

$524.00

The new Halo Collar 5 GPS dog collar provides up-to-date, real-time location & activity tracking. The device also offers 48 hour battery life and a virtual fence system.

Pros:

• Real-time GPS location
• 2-day battery life

Cons:

• Too bulky for small dogs

Buy from Amazon

05/27/2026 09:22 am GMT

Halo provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

The QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor shows that there’s no reason to get a 1080P screen for travel when a 4K one is so affordable. The 15.6-inch screen can make you more productive on business trips, or let you enjoy movies and games on a high-resolution display. All without straining your budget.

Don’t be concerned if you haven’t heard of QQH before. I hadn’t, so I went into this review with a skeptical eye. I tested the 4K portable monitor for weeks with my iPad Pro, and it also supports MacBook and even my iPhone. Here’s why I’m pleased with it.

Especially as there’s a deal that knocks 29% off the cost of the QQH Z12-4.

QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor review

MacBooks and iPads are wonderfully portable, but a 13- or 16-inch screen just doesn’t offer enough space to be really productive. Don’t cram a few app windows into a small area when you can easily add a second monitor and double your work area when you’re out of the office.

And you might be surprised to learn that you can connect your USB-C iPhone directly to an external screen to stream movies and TV shows when on holiday. Or connect your Switch and play games.

My time with the QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor shows it’s really up for work and entertainment. Better than I expected, actually.

4K beautiful and affordable

QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor

4.5

$184.99

The QQH Z12-4 15.6inch IPS portable monitor features a 4K (UHD 3840x2160) resolution for crisp, lifelike images. Whether used as a second screen for your laptop or a travel monitor for on-the-go productivity, it offers ultra-clear visuals in a lightweight design.

Pros:

• Bright, clear 4K screen
• Plug-and-play with Mac, iPad and iPhone
• Easily portable

Cons:

• Display colors just slightly off

Buy from Amazon

05/25/2026 04:15 pm GMT

Table of contents: QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor review

• A gorgeous 4K screen
• Versus Apple screens
• A plug-and-play portable monitor
• Looks good from the back, too
• Useful case/stand
• Designed for portability
• Weak built-in speakers: Use audio port
• QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor: Final thoughts
• Pricing

A gorgeous 4K screen

I’ve used and loved 1080P mobile displays for years. But the QQH Z12-4 sets the bar higher. It’s 4K, so it offers a 3840-by-2160-pixel resolution. That’s 8.3 million pixels — more than four times as many as in a 1080P screen.

This is a 15.6-inch LCD, so we’re taking 284 pixels per inch. The result is sharp text. I had to get out a magnifying glass to see any pixelization. Images look good, too.

Color reproduction is generally quite good but not perfect. Whites are white, and blacks are black, but colors, including skin tones in pictures and video, are a bit redder than they should be. Blues are just slightly dark.

Buttons on the right edge of the device let you manually adjust the color balance. I just turned on HDR (High Dynamic Range) and let the screen and my computer deal with it.

The LCD glows brightly enough that I could do the majority of the testing for the 4K portable monitor on my screened-in porch. Even with the backlight at 80%, I can see what’s displayed clearly.

The QQH Z12-4 is intended for web browsing, email, watching video and playing games, and my testing showed that it handles those quite well. I used it for work every day for weeks.

On the other side of the coin, its lack of perfect color reproduction means it’s not right for digital artists.

QQH Z12-4 versus Apple screens

My rule for any external monitor is that it must be visually appealing enough that I can move my eyes between the third-party screen and a MacBook or iPad without the difference being jarring. The QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor easily passes this test.

For comparison, a MacBook Pro offers a 3072‑by‑1920-pixel resolution at 226 pixels per inch — a lower total number of pixels and a lower PPI than QQH’s screen. But the Mac handles color more accurately, and the backlights are brighter.

A plug-and-play portable monitor

Connecting the QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor to your Mac, iPad or iPhone is as simple as plugging a USB-C cable into both devices. And the cable you need is in the box.

The external display also includes a mini-HDMI port, and the HDMI cable needed to connect to it. This allows you to connect the screen to a Switch 2 or another device that doesn’t support video-out over USB.

I used a Nyrius Orion Prime wireless video adapter to connect my iPad Pro to the QQH display as a test — it went perfectly.

Your computer can power the portable monitor over a USB-C connection, or you can run power into the Z12-4 via a second USB-C port in the screen. Note that this is necessary when using HDMI. The needed cable and wall charger come in the box.

Looks good from the back, too

I hope you didn’t expect a cheap-looking plastic casing. Because QQH wrapped its great-looking LCD in an equally fine-looking metal exterior. It’s all black, with a silver accent line across the front on the small “chin.”

For use in the office, the display includes a VESA mount (75 mm x 75 mm). A compatible VESA stand isn’t included, though.

Useful case/stand

A wrap-around folio case comes with the QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor to protect it from scratches and bumps.

And this case does double duty as a stand. It folds open and then under to become a kickstand. This holds up the display across a range of angles, from nearly straight up and down — perfect for watching video — to leaning back about 40 degrees.

You’ll need something more substantial than the folio case if you want to travel with the external screen farther than a conference room or Starbucks. My review unit and its folio case fit neatly in my Casemade Leather Laptop Case.

Designed for portability

The QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor measures 14 inches wide and 8.8 inches tall. It’s 0.4 inches thick. The unit weighs 1.8 pounds.

The folio case adds to the bulk, of course. The thickness increases to 0.6 inches, while the weight goes up to 2.6 pounds.

You can get a smaller, lighter screen for travel than this one. I’m a fan of the KYY K5-3, a 14-inch model.
But the Z12-4 nevertheless offers high-res performance in a portable form factor.

Weak built-in speakers: Use the audio port

The QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor includes a pair of speakers — one on each side — but they just don’t put out much sound. I must be in a quiet room to even hear what’s playing. They’re so useless it’s not worth commenting on the tinny audio.

Fortunately, QQH built in a 3.5mm audio port so you can plug in a speaker or headphones.

Better yet, use the speakers built into your Apple device, or listen via your AirPods or maybe a Bluetooth speaker. You’ll get much better sound.

QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor review: Final thoughts

I went into this review suspicious about this screen because it was the first I’d heard of QQH. I came out genuinely pleased with their 4K portable monitor.

If you’re going to spend hours working or playing on a portable monitor, you owe it to yourself to get a good one. And the Z12-4 is quite good.

★★★★☆

Pricing

The regular price for the QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor is $299.99, but it doesn’t matter — you don’t have to pay that much. A deal knocks 29% off the cost, lowering it down to $213.74, which is quite a nice price for a high-res travel monitor of this quality.

Buy it from: Amazon

4K beautiful and affordable

QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor

4.5

$184.99

The QQH Z12-4 15.6inch IPS portable monitor features a 4K (UHD 3840x2160) resolution for crisp, lifelike images. Whether used as a second screen for your laptop or a travel monitor for on-the-go productivity, it offers ultra-clear visuals in a lightweight design.

Pros:

• Bright, clear 4K screen
• Plug-and-play with Mac, iPad and iPhone
• Easily portable

Cons:

• Display colors just slightly off

Buy from Amazon

05/25/2026 04:15 pm GMT

QQH provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

The best Mac utilities can make a great computer even better. From smarter window management to easier automation and cleaner navigation, a few well-chosen tools can dramatically improve your workflow.

I’m a longtime Mac user, and I can’t do my job without these six essential Mac utilities. In this guide, I’ll show you how they can make everyday tasks faster and simpler.

Best Mac utilities

Your Mac is powerful out of the box. macOS comes with plenty of built-in features, but it often leaves gaps that third-party tools can fill.

I previously highlighted some must-have free Mac apps that can speed up your workflow and boost your productivity. But there are a lot more Mac utilities worth checking out. The ones on this list solve some everyday pain points of the Mac’s operating system.

Table of contents: 6 best Mac utilities to make life easier

• Wallper
• Folder Preview
• Keyboard Maestro
• Swish
• Supercharge
• Velja 

Wallper

Every year, Apple bundles some great wallpapers with macOS. But they get pretty boring to look at after a while. And it’s hard to find amazing dynamic wallpapers. Wallper makes this easy, as it contains hundreds of dynamic 4K wallpapers that can make your Mac desktop feel alive.

Like the wallpaper collection, the Wallper app itself is slick and contains all the controls you’ll possibly need. This includes the ability to change the wallpapers daily, clearing cache with a click, and applying different wallpapers across multiple screens. It even includes real-time performance monitoring to ensure the live wallpaper isn’t hogging resources on your Mac.

The free version of Wallper gets you access to 18 wallpapers. The Pro version, available for a one-time fee of just $10, provides access to more than 500 live wallpapers and access to the community gallery.

Download from: Wallper

Folder Preview

The Mac’s built-in Quick Look feature makes it simple to peek inside a file or image without opening it. But it suffers from several limitations, with the biggest annoyance being the inability to peek inside a folder’s content.

Folder Preview solves this problem for good, and that’s why it makes this list of the best Mac utilities around. It’s a Preview extension that enables Quick Look support for folders. But that’s not all. The plugin also lets you Quick Look archive files like ZIP, RAR and TAR.

Folder Preview comes in two paid versions, both with lifetime licenses. The regular app costs just $1.99, while the Pro’s lifetime license retails for $5.99. With the Pro version, you can directly take actions on files within folders from the Quick Look preview window. Plus, it shows thumbnails for media files for easy understanding.

Download from: Anybox

Keyboard Maestro

macOS already comes with two powerful automation tools: Automator and Shortcuts. But there’s an even more powerful third-party utility: Keyboard Maestro. It can help automate any repetitive tasks on your Mac using macros. For example, if you open several specific apps every morning on your Mac with a preferred window layout, Keyboard Maestro can automate the entire process.

I have an automation set up in Keyboard Maestro that converts the images I input into JPEGs and moves them into a relevant Google Drive folder. Another macro opens Google Search in Chrome and Notion side by side, while launching ChatGPT and Perplexity on my second monitor. Another automation moves the screenshots on my desktop into another “Screenshots” folder at the end of the day. And for better organization, screenshots older than 30 days are moved into the “Archive” subfolder.

These automation examples are relatively basic and barely scratch the surface of what Keyboard Maestro can do. For more advanced macros, check out the Keyboard Maestro forums. You’ll quickly see why it earned a spot on our list of the best Mac utilities.

Download from: Stairways Software

Swish

There’s no dearth of window management apps for Mac. If you primarily use a MacBook Pro, Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad, check out Swish. It adds tons of handy gestures to make window management on your Mac a breeze.

With Swich, you can pinch in to close app windows, swipe down with two fingers to minimize them, and pinch out to go full screen. Window snapping is easy as well: Simply swipe on the title bar in the direction you want to snap the window to. In total, Swish features 30 gestures that will supercharge window management on the Mac. You can invoke all the gestures with a keyboard as well, but Swish works best with trackpads.

Swish is available as a 14-day free trial, after which you’ll need to purchase a standalone license. It is also available through SetApp, a Netflix-style app subscription service that we highly recommend.

Download from: Swish

Supercharge, one of the best Mac utilities around 

Supercharge is a handy Mac utility that fills in some essential features that macOS lacks. It adds essentials like Cut-Paste, a keyboard shortcut to clear notifications, the ability to close or minimize app windows directly from Mission Control, window isolation, and running shortcuts straight from the menu bar.

Other handy features include:

• Automatically clear your clipboard after a set time for privacy reasons
• Open files in Finder by pressing the Return key
• Move files directly to Trash by pressing the Delete key
• Move AirDrop files to a specific folder
• Invert selection
• Remove AirDrop, Mail and Messages from the Share menu
• Archive old items in the Downloads folder
• Copy a message link in the Mail app

There’s a lot more that Supercharge offers, making it a Mac utility worth owning despite its relatively steep price of $18.

Download from: Supercharge

Velja

Depending on my workflow, I switch between Chrome, Safari and Opera on my Mac mini. But since Chrome is set as the default browser, every link I click opens there. That can get annoying, especially when I’d prefer certain links to open in Safari or Opera.

This is where Velja comes in. By default, it assigns the Fn key as a modifier. Whenever you click a link while holding the modifier key, a prompt appears letting you choose from the other browsers installed on your Mac. With the appropriate permission, Velja can even let you open links directly in a specific browser profile.

If you want something more powerful, check out Choosy. You can set rules, so it will automatically open certain links in a specific browser. For example, you can have Choosy open all Google or Gmail links in Chrome.

Download from: Velja or Choosy

What’s on your list of the best Mac utilities?

What are some of your favorite Mac utilities? Have you used any of the apps mentioned above before? Drop your favorites in the comments below!

With the Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim), thin is definitely in. Measuring just 0.34 inches deep, the Qi2 power bank attaches magnetically to MagSafe iPhones and delivers enough juice to get you through a frantic afternoon on the go.

At just 5,000 mAh, it won’t take modern iPhone batteries all the way to 100%. But it will power up a dead iPhone from zero to 20% in a little over 20 minutes. And it does so while attached comfortably to the phone, without the excessive heat generated by some competing power banks.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Anker Nano Power Bank review

Skinny as can be

Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim)

5.0

$45.99

This incredibly slim Qi2 power bank gives your iPhone a power boost without the bulk. Plus, it stays cooler than competitors. While it can't recharge an iPhone to 100%, this barely-there charger will get you through the day.

Pros:

• 15W wireless fast charging
• Just 0.34 inches thick
• Weighs only 4.2 ounces (119 grams)

Cons:

• Slightly slower than the latest Qi2.2 chargers

Read our hands-on review: Anker’s Nano Power Bank is the iPhone battery pack Apple should have made

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Anker

05/26/2026 10:16 pm GMT

Most power banks turn your iPhone into an unwieldy brick when you attach them. Or, worse, they make it seem like your iPhone is attached to a brick by a cable.

Not Anker’s new Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim). The power bank’s name is far more unwieldy than the gadget itself.

When I pulled it from the box and put it on my iPhone 16 Pro, I was immediately impressed by how incredibly slender the power bank is. My CultCast colleague D. Griffin Jones enjoyed the same experience, and so did everyone I showed it to. Most people had never seen a power bank as unobtrusive as Anker’s latest (at least until Apple unveiled its iPhone Air MagSafe Battery during its Awe Dropping launch event earlier this month).

That feeling persisted when I used the Anker Nano Power Bank in the wild. It’s so small, lightweight and smoothly designed that it doesn’t make much of an impact. With it attached to my iPhone, it felt like a single unit. And it slid easily into the pockets of my jeans.

At 5,000 mAh, it’s enough to get you through a tough spot

The power bank’s svelte size makes it perfect to slap on the back of my iPhone when heading out the door with a worrisomely low charge. (This happens more often than I’d like to admit.) And the strong magnets pop it into place on the back of my phone and hold it there securely.

The small, lightweight form factor also makes it great to toss in a backpack or travel duffel when heading out for a long day of planes, trains and automobiles, when excessive iPhone use would typically find me searching for a place to plug in and recharge.

This little wonder frees me of the tyranny of the electrical outlet — and that horrible feeling that my iPhone might run out of juice and I might (gasp!) be unable to look at Slack or X or any of the other apps I’m basically addicted to.

However, as mentioned, it’s not enough to recharge an iPhone from zero to 100%. Even though its 5,000 mAh rating tops the capacity of today’s iPhone batteries, the inherent inefficiency of wireless charging means this little power bank is purpose-built to get you out of a low-power jam.

Anker lists the maximum charging levels for various models on its website: iPhone 16 Pro (80%), iPhone 16 Pro Max (63%), iPhone 15 Pro (91%), iPhone 15 Pro Max (65%), iPhone 14 Pro (91%) and iPhone 14 Pro Max (70%). Specs for the iPhone 17 series don’t show up yet.

Design: So thin, so light, so cool to the touch

When it comes to design, the main attribute of the Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim) is, once again, its thinness. It measures just 4.02 inches by 2.78 inches by 0.34 inches. According to my scale, it weighs just 4.2 ounces (119 grams). And it fits beautifully on the back of my iPhone 16 Pro and my new iPhone 17 Pro.

My colleague D. Griffin Jones says it works great on an iPhone Air, too. In fact, this is the iPhone battery pack that Apple should have made. Instead of only fitting the iPhone Air, this one fits all MagSafe iPhones. And at $54.99 (versus the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery’s list price of $99), it’s quite the bargain.

Available in black, white, green and golden, its edges are nicely rounded. Its metal back feels great in the hand when attached to my phone, and isn’t too fingerprint-prone.

Cooler than competitors

Speaking of feeling good in your hand, Anker touts the Nano Power Bank as running 14 degrees cooler than the industry standard. The company says the device will reach a maximum temperature when in use of 104 degrees. (Anker cites the industry standard as 118.4 degrees.)

In my testing for this review, the Anker Nano Power Bank never got as hot as my iPhone 16 Pro usually did when performing processor-intensive tasks. I took several measurements with an IR thermometer gun while charging my phone. The power bank never went higher than 100 degrees.

A USB-C port on the bottom of the power bank allows for 20W fast charging when refilling. It can go from zero to 100% charged in less than two hours with an appropriate charger.

As is typical for slim devices like this, four round white LEDs show the power bank’s battery level when in use or while plugged in to recharge. A digital readout would be slightly more comforting, but would add to the thickness of the slim power bank.

A couple of nitpicks

As mentioned, this is a Qi2 charger, so it maxes out at 15W wireless charging. Some new Qi2.2 power banks hit 25W for slightly faster wireless charging. However, that’s a newly implemented standard, so they’re few and far between. (You’ll find the Anker Nano Power Bank from this review, as well as a couple of faster Qi2.2 models, in our list of the top 10 power banks for Apple users in 2025.)

One nitpick I have is the Anker logo on the back of the power bank. I love the incredibly understated black-on-black look, but I find the positioning weird. When attached to an iPhone, the Anker logo runs north and south, which makes for a slightly odd look. (I guess it’s fine if you’re streaming something in portrait mode, but it seems like it would have been better to align the logo with its top facing the top of the iPhone, the way the Apple logo does.

Side note: My colleague Griffin found the regulatory info that runs around the edges of the power bank a bit off-putting. I barely noticed it, and definitely can’t read it (even up close). That said, Griffin’s suggestion that it could be printed on the power bank’s magnetic charging face so it never shows while attached to a phone might make sense. Then again, it might be even more visible if located there.

Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim) review: Conclusion

Bigger power banks offer more power. Wired power banks offer more efficient charging. But that’s not what the Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim) was built for. Anker built it to get you through a busy afternoon where you forgot to charge up your iPhone before leaving the house or burned through your phone’s battery while doomscrolling.

The barely-there battery pack is super-slim, lightweight and easy to slide into a pocket or slap on the back of your iPhone. It’s the iPhone battery pack Apple should have made instead of the pricier iPhone Air MagSafe Battery, which only works with one model.

If you own an iPhone — or a Qi2-compatible Android device — and you suffer from nomophobia, don’t leave home without it.

★★★★★

Buy from: Amazon

Skinny as can be

Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim)

5.0

$45.99

This incredibly slim Qi2 power bank gives your iPhone a power boost without the bulk. Plus, it stays cooler than competitors. While it can't recharge an iPhone to 100%, this barely-there charger will get you through the day.

Pros:

• 15W wireless fast charging
• Just 0.34 inches thick
• Weighs only 4.2 ounces (119 grams)

Cons:

• Slightly slower than the latest Qi2.2 chargers

Read our hands-on review: Anker’s Nano Power Bank is the iPhone battery pack Apple should have made

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Anker

05/26/2026 10:16 pm GMT

Anker provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

Ever been stranded with a dead iPhone in a crucial moment? Finding the best power banks for Apple devices can be the difference between staying connected and watching your screen go black. Thankfully, the market is loaded with great portable power banks that can keep your iPhone and other Apple devices powered up on the go. We rounded up the top 10 power banks for Apple users, including two of the fastest Qi2.2 models available so far. 

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Top 10 best power banks for Apple users

Battery anxiety is a real problem, especially for Apple users who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day. Fortunately, the latest generation of power banks has evolved significantly, with MagSafe power banks offering seamless magnetic attachment and Qi2.2 compatible power banks delivering both that and faster charging speeds than ever before. Whether you’re looking for compact iPhone power banks for everyday carry or more robust Apple compatible chargers to juice up multiple devices while you travel, our selections have you covered.

We’ve narrowed down the 10 most reliable, efficient and user-friendly portable chargers specifically designed for the Apple ecosystem. From magnetic attachments to multi-device charging capabilities, these power banks represent the best balance of portability, charging speed and value heading into 2026.

Key considerations about Qi2 and Qi2.2 devices

Qi2.2 (also known as Qi2 25W) is the latest wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium that provides up to 25W of power. It was inspired by Apple’s MagSafe, and likewise uses magnetic alignment to ensure consistent power transfer, delivering faster and more efficient charging than the previous Qi2 standard.

The fastest Qi2.2 power banks are starting to come out. We’ve included great options from Baseus and Ugreen among early entrants. They rank high for one major reason: speed.

Qi2.2 benefits:

• This is the biggie: increased wireless charging speed of up to 25 watts. That’s significant improvement over the 15W cap of the first-generation Qi2 standard (which is also Apple’s MagSafe standard speed).
• Like Apple’s proprietary MagSafe, both Qi2 and Qi2.2 use a magnetic ring system to ensure optimal alignment for efficient and reliable charging.
• But unlike MagSafe, Qi2 and Qi2.2 are open standards designed to be compatible with both iPhones and Android devices.

And so, without further ado, here are the top 10:

10. Anker Nano Power Bank 5K Magnetic Charger

At just 0.34 inches thin, Anker Nano Power Bank 5K Magnetic Charger redefines what portable power can look like. This ultra-slim MagSafe-compatible charger combines minimalist design with substantial charging capabilities, making it one of the most pocketable options in Anker’s lineup.

The standout attribute is undoubtedly its remarkably slim profile, measuring just 4 × 2.8 × 0.34 inches and weighing a mere 4.3 ounces. Despite its compact size, this power bank delivers Qi2-certified 15W wireless fast charging for compatible iPhones, doubling the speed of older 7.5W magnetic power banks.

Beyond wireless charging, the USB-C port provides 20W wired charging and recharging, replenishing the power bank itself in approximately 1.5 hours. Anker has also implemented advanced thermal management using graphene cooling technology and dual NTC chips, keeping temperatures below 104°F — notably cooler than industry standards.

Who’s it best for?

This power bank is ideal for minimalists who value ultra-portable design without compromising on charging speed. It’s particularly suited for iPhone users who need emergency power throughout the day yet don’t want the bulk traditionally associated with portable chargers. Consequently, business travelers and commuters will appreciate its pocket-friendly dimensions and premium look that complements Apple devices.

Pricing

The Anker Nano Power Bank 5K Magnetic Charger retails for $54.99, though it’s occasionally available for $45.99 during promotional periods. 

Skinny as can be

Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim)

5.0

$45.99

This incredibly slim Qi2 power bank gives your iPhone a power boost without the bulk. Plus, it stays cooler than competitors. While it can't recharge an iPhone to 100%, this barely-there charger will get you through the day.

Pros:

• 15W wireless fast charging
• Just 0.34 inches thick
• Weighs only 4.2 ounces (119 grams)

Cons:

• Slightly slower than the latest Qi2.2 chargers

Read our hands-on review: Anker’s Nano Power Bank is the iPhone battery pack Apple should have made

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Anker

05/26/2026 10:16 pm GMT

9. Anker Nano Power Bank 10K with Retractable Cable

Anker Nano Power Bank 10K features an innovative built-in retractable USB-C cable that eliminates the frustration of forgotten or tangled cords. This functional approach makes it a standout option among portable power banks for Apple users seeking hassle-free charging.

The standout feature is a 2.3-foot retractable “InstaCord” that is capable of withstanding over 20,000 bends. With 45W max output through both the built-in cable and USB-C port, it delivers enough power to charge smartphones, tablets, and even some laptops. The 10,000mAh capacity provides multiple charges for iPhones, along with a helpful TFT display showing real-time battery percentage and power draw. Moreover, it supports pass-through charging, functioning as a mini charging hub when plugged into a wall.

Who’s it best for?

This power bank shines in day-to-day scenarios where convenience matters most. It’s ideal for frequent travelers, coffee shop workers, or commuters who want to eliminate cable clutter without sacrificing charging power. Users who prioritize functionality over flash will appreciate its practical design and robust performance.

Pricing

It’s currently priced at $49.99, but it’s occasionally available with promotional discounts.

Retractable cable

Anker Nano Portable Charger 10,000mAh 45W

$59.99

This compact portable charger includes a 2.3-foot retractable USB-C cable and delivers up to 45W to iPhones and other devices.

Pros:

• 45W PD charging capability for laptops
• Durable retractable cable
• Real-time display with battery statistics

Cons:

• Throttles down to 30W after 13 minutes at 45W
• Heavier than expected at 0.51 lb (230g)
• No wireless charging option

Buy from Amazon

05/26/2026 10:17 pm GMT

8. Baseus Picogo Qi2 10K Portable Charger

Double the capacity without double the size, the Baseus Picogo Qi2 10K — available in four colors — delivers impressive power in an ultra-slim package measuring just 4.0 x 2.67 x 0.58 inches. This power bank maintains a surprisingly thin profile considering its substantial 10,000mAh capacity.

The Picogo 10K combines Qi2 certification for 15W wireless charging with powerful 27W wired output via USB-C. This dual-charging capability allows simultaneous powering of multiple devices. The aluminum housing coupled with Tesla-grade lithium-polymer batteries and NTC chip technology keeps surface temperatures 30% cooler than competing products. Indeed, the power bank can provide up to 1.8 full charges for an iPhone 16 Pro.

Who’s it best for?

Primarily suited for power users needing extended battery life without excessive bulk. In essence, it’s ideal for travelers, professionals or anyone requiring multiple charges throughout a long day.

Pricing

Currently available for $69.99 directly from Baseus, however using code “PICOGO” reduces the price by $30.00, making it less than half the cost of Apple’s MagSafe Battery. And you can get it on Amazon right now for $39.98 in a limited-time deal. 

Ultra slim

Baseus Picogo Qi2 10K Portable Charger

$37.96

Only a half-inch thick, this MagSafe-compatible, Qi2-certified slim charger delivers 15W of power from its 10000mAh battery, plus 27W fast charging via USB-C. For iPhone 17/16/15/14/13/12.

Pros:

• Ultra-slim design, just 0.5 inches thick
• Strong 11N magnets for secure attachment
• Wired and wireless charging

Cons:

• Kickstand primarily useful in landscape orientation
• A bit heavier than expected at 7.8 ounces

Buy from Amazon

05/26/2026 10:17 pm GMT

7. Anker Zolo Portable Power Bank 10K

Featuring a built-in USB-C cable that cleverly doubles as a lanyard, the Anker Zolo Portable Power Bank offers practical functionality in a remarkably compact package. This affordable power solution effectively combines convenience with substantial charging capacity.

The standout element is undoubtedly its integrated USB-C cable that tucks neatly into the housing when not in use. With 30W fast charging capability, it can rapidly power iPhones and even provide emergency juice for MacBook Air laptops. The 10,000mAh capacity delivers approximately two full charges for an iPhone 16, while its compact dimensions (4.32 x 2.58 x 0.98 inches) maintain reasonable portability. Additionally, it includes an LED indicator displaying remaining battery percentage.

Who’s it best for?

Ideal for travelers seeking a no-fuss charging solution without managing separate cables. Essentially perfect for anyone requiring reliable emergency power without breaking the bank. The built-in cable design makes it particularly suited for active users who need quick access to power throughout the day.

Pricing

Currently available for $25.99-$49.99 depending on retailer and promotions. A dual-cable version with both Lightning/USB-C connections costs about $10 more.

30W fast charging for iPhone

Anker Zolo Portable Power Bank

$39.99

This 10,000mAh wireless portable charger offers 30W fast charging with built-in USB-C cable and adjustable stand. For iPhone 17/16/15 Series, AirPods and more.

Pros:

• Integrated USB-C cable
• Capable of fast charging
• LED battery life indicator

Cons:

• On the chunky side

Buy from Amazon

05/26/2026 10:16 pm GMT

6. Belkin Power Bank 10K with cables

Equipped with both Lightning and USB-C integrated cables, the Belkin Power Bank 10K offers a charging experience for iPhone users with or without a cable. The dual-cable design eliminates the frustration of carrying separate charging cords while maintaining impressive power capabilities.

The defining attribute of this power bank is its built-in 5-inch cable neatly integrated into the housing. With 10,000mAh capacity, it provides up to 43 hours of additional playback for an iPhone 15 Pro and can charge it from 0-50% in just 26 minutes. Users can charge two devices simultaneously. The charger supports pass-through charging, allowing you to power your iPhone even while the bank itself recharges. Additionally, a built-in LED indicator clearly displays the remaining battery level.

Who’s it best for?

Ideal for Apple ecosystem users who want to eliminate cable clutter, and those with Lighting connectors in their older Apple devices. In fact, travelers will appreciate having both cable types permanently attached for various charging scenarios. People who frequently charge multiple devices simultaneously will benefit from its dual-output capability.

Pricing

Currently priced at $55 at Amazon.

2 built-in cables

Belkin portable charger with Lightning and USB-C cables

4.5

$49.99

Never hunt for charging cables ever again with Belkin's portable power bank, which features built-in Lightning and USB-C cables. This all-in-one charging solution works with iPhone, AirPods, iPad, Bluetooth headphones and much more.

Pros:

• Lightning and USB-C cables
• 10,000mAh battery
• Charges 2 devices at once

Cons:

• No built-in wall plug

Buy from Amazon

05/26/2026 10:17 pm GMT

5. Sharge IceMag 2

The Sharge IceMag 2 stands as the world’s first Qi2 power bank with active cooling technology, according to the company. The bank’s Active Cooling 2.0 system combines optimized airflow, increased fan speed and an aluminum backplate for improved heat dissipation. With 15W Qi2-certified wireless charging, it delivers twice the speed of older standard 7.5W solutions.

The device offers 30W two-way USB-C fast charging that can power an iPhone 16 Pro Max to 50% in just 25 minutes. Additionally, it includes an integrated foldable kickstand for hands-free viewing and features full-spectrum dynamic RGB lighting visible through its transparent design.

Who’s it best for?

Primarily suitable for mobile gamers and power users concerned about heat management. Perfect for travel with airline-approved capacity and integrated stand. Generally ideal for anyone requiring reliable charging in situations where device cooling is a priority.

Pricing

Currently priced at $52, reduced from the regular price of $69.90 (24% savings). Various retailers offer different pricing — Amazon lists it at $55.99 (20% off $69.90).

Active cooling

Sharge IceMag 2 MagSafe Power Bank

$69.90

This 15W Qi2 magnetic portable charger features active cooling, a 10000mAh battery pack and a foldable stand. Compatible with iPhone 17/16/15/14.

Pros:

• Active cooling prevents overheating
• Sleek transparent design with RGB lighting
• Built-in kickstand for hands-free use

Cons:

• Fan produces audible noise
• RGB lighting cannot be disabled

Buy from Amazon

05/26/2026 10:17 pm GMT

4. Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K

Smart display technology makes the Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K stand out in a crowded field of portable chargers. This premium device combines intelligent power monitoring with Qi2-certified charging for Apple devices.

The MagGo 10K delivers Qi2-certified 15W wireless charging, twice as fast as standard MagSafe options. Its informative smart display shows exact battery percentage and estimated charging completion time. With 10,000mAh capacity, it provides approximately 1.8 full charges for an iPhone 15 Pro. The device includes a 30W USB-C port for fast wired charging and recharging. A built-in foldable stand allows hands-free viewing in both portrait and landscape orientations.

Who’s it best for?

Primarily suited for users who value information visibility alongside reliable charging. Perfect for travelers needing accurate battery monitoring and those who appreciate premium construction. Appropriate for iPhone 12-16 series owners seeking a multipurpose power bank with stand functionality.

Pricing

Currently priced at $89.99, often available with $20-30 discounts bringing it to $59.99-69.99. Right now you can get $20 off at Amazon.

Smart display

Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K

$89.99

This Qi2-certified 15W MagSafe-compatible charger has a 10,000mAh battery pack with smart display and foldable stand. For iPhone 17/16/15/14/13. USB-C cable included.

Pros:

• Informative digital display
• Strong magnetic attachment with 9-12N force
• Foldable stand for hands-free viewing

Cons:

• A little bulkier and heavier than slim alternatives
• A bit steep at full price

Buy from Amazon

05/26/2026 10:16 pm GMT

3. Mophie Power Station Mini Gen 3

Almost as compact as a lipstick dispenser yet powerful enough for emergency charging, Mophie Power Station Mini Gen 3 represents an ultra-portable solution for Apple users on the move.

Power Station Mini packs a 5,000mAh battery into a pocket-friendly aluminum frame measuring just 3.4in × 1.06in × 0.98in. It delivers up to 20W fast-charging through its versatile USB-C port, capable of charging an iPhone 15 Pro to 50% in merely 30 minutes. This single port handles both device charging and power bank recharging, subsequently eliminating cable confusion. The sleek aluminum exterior with bead-blasted finish complements Apple devices aesthetically.

Who’s it best for?

Chiefly designed for users needing emergency power in a truly pocket-sized format. Ideal for daily commuters, travelers (airline-friendly), and anyone seeking hassle-free portable power without unnecessary bulk. Perfect for those who prioritize compact design over multi-charge capacity.

Pricing

Currently priced at approximately $30, although retail prices may vary depending on the vendor. You can get it in sizes up to 27,000mAh.

Tiny yet potent

Mophie Powerstation Mini (5K) Gen 3

$29.95

In its smallest iteration, this pocket-sized 5,000mAh portable power bank features fast USB-C PD with 20W output. Includes LED indicator and USB-C cable.

Pros:

• Small and fits easily in pockets
• Fast-charging capability (20W USB-C PD)
• Premium aluminum construction

Cons:

• Limited to about one full phone charge
• No multi-device charging

Buy from Amazon

05/11/2026 02:29 pm GMT

2. Baseus PicoGo AM61 Magnetic Power Bank

The PicoGo AM61 represents one of the first consumer power banks to support the new Qi2 25W standard, making it ideal for early adopters who want faster wireless charging speeds and improved efficiency compared to current 15W Qi chargers.

The Baseus PicoGo AM61 delivers 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging with ±0.5mm magnetic alignment precision for 40% improved efficiency, according to Baseus. And the bank features a built-in 45W USB-C cable for versatile charging options and enhanced foreign object detection for safety.

Who’s it best for?

iPhone users seeking an all-in-one portable charging solution with the latest wireless charging technology, especially those who frequently travel or commute and want to avoid carrying multiple cables.

Pricing

This fast power bank goes for $69.99 at Amazon or Baseus. 

Fast 25W charging

Baseus Picogo Qi2.2 25W Portable Power Bank

$62.99

This 10000mAh power bank delivers 25W wireless charging and up to 45W of charging power with its built-in USB-C cable. For iPhone 17/16/15/14/13 and more.

Pros:

• Fast 25W wireless charging
• Built-in USB-C cable (up to 45W charging)
• Backward compatible with older Qi standard

Cons:

• Limited to single device wireless charging

Buy from Amazon

05/26/2026 10:17 pm GMT

1. Ugreen MagFlow Magnetic Power Bank 10000mAh

Leading the charge in next-generation power technology, MagFlow 10000mAh stands as the world’s first Qi2 25W-certified power bank, according to Ugreen. The bank offers substantial power in a sleek package.

The MagFlow’s standout attribute is its groundbreaking Qi2 25W certification, delivering approximately 30% faster wireless charging than standard 15W MagSafe options. This allows it to charge an iPhone 17 Pro Max to 50% in roughly 38 minutes versus 54 minutes with 15W charging.

Its 10,000mAh capacity provides approximately 1.8 full charges for an iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max. The power bank features a built-in 30W USB-C cable that doubles as a convenient carrying handle. Additionally, it includes a digital display showing remaining battery percentage.

Most impressively, this power bank can simultaneously charge three devices — one wirelessly, one via the built-in cable, and a third through its 30W USB-C port.

Who’s it best for?

This power bank is ideal for power users who need maximum charging speed plus versatility. It’s perfectly suited for travelers requiring multiple device charging and professionals who value the convenience of the built-in cable and secure magnetic attachment. The Mist Blue color option likewise makes it a stylish choice for design-conscious Apple users.

Pricing

The Ugreen MagFlow is priced at $90, positioning it in the premium segment. Nevertheless, considering its Qi2 25W certification and unique features, many users find the price justifiable.

Fast iPhone charging

UGREEN MagFlow 10,000mAh Power Bank, Qi2 25W Certified Wireless Charging, Magnetic Portable Charger for MagSafe with Built-in Cable, 30W USB-C Battery Pack for iPhone 17 Pro Max/16/15/14/13/12

$54.98

This Qi2 power bank charges MagSafe iPhones at 25 watts, faster than the 15W MagSafe standard. Comes with built-in USB-C cable and an additional charging port.

Pros:

• Fast charging pad
• Built-in cable
• Sleek design

Cons:

• Only one additional port

Read our hands-on review: Ugreen MagFlow power bank juices up iPhone fast

Buy from Amazon

05/28/2026 12:00 am GMT

Best power banks for Apple users: Conclusion

Finding the best power banks for Apple devices can significantly improve your daily tech experience. These 10 power banks stand out for their innovative designs, reliable performance and tailored features that address various user needs.

Qi2 certification emerges as a game-changer across multiple options, enabling faster 15W wireless charging that cuts down waiting time considerably. Magnetic attachment capabilities further enhance the user experience, allowing seamless connection to compatible iPhones without fumbling with cables.

Manufacturers like Anker, Baseus, Ugreen, Belkin, Sharge and Mophie have clearly prioritized portability alongside power delivery. Many models now feature remarkably slim profiles despite offering substantial capacity, while others include thoughtful additions like built-in cables, kickstands and informative displays.

Your specific needs should guide your selection. Power users might gravitate toward high-capacity options like the Ugreen MagFlow with its groundbreaking 25W certification or Anker’s feature-rich MagGo 10K. Those prioritizing extreme portability will appreciate ultra-compact solutions such as the Mophie Power Station Mini or Baseus Picogo 5K.

Price points vary significantly across these options, from budget-friendly choices under $30 to premium models approaching $90. Nevertheless, most offer substantial value through thoughtful design elements that address real-world charging challenges.

Apple Watch SE 3 is a huge upgrade, packing an always-on display, a new processor, fast charging, gesture support and many more improvements. It’s so good that it presents a problem for Apple Watch buyers: is there a reason to pay more to get a Series 11?

After a week with the SE 3, I’m blown away at how much I got for $249. Here’s why.

Apple Watch SE 3 review

Each year, an improved Apple Watch model hits store shelves. And most years, it is joined by an Apple Watch Ultra model with additional features. Less frequently, a fresh Apple Watch SE model comes out as the budget option, with many of the best features stripped out to hit a low price.

Something must have gotten mixed up in Cupertino because they forgot to leave most of the high-end features out of the Apple Watch SE 3. It’s a really compelling product — powerful, beautiful and lightweight — but it still starts at $150 less than the Apple Watch Series 11.

Amazing value!

Apple Watch SE 3 (Wi-Fi, 40mm)

5.0

$239.00

Apple Watch SE 3 offers health, fitness, connectivity, and safety features running on the powerful S10 chip. The smartwatch boasts an Always-On display, the double tap and wrist flick gestures, on-device Siri and fast charging.

Pros:

• Packed with pro-level features
• Most affordable Apple Watch

Cons:

• Lacks blood oxygen sensor, ECG sensor

Buy from Amazon

05/27/2026 06:14 am GMT

Table of contents: Apple Watch SE 3 review

• Always-on screen. Finally!
• No cheap look and feel here
• High-end performance
• Useful new gestures
• Old and new health and fitness features
• Health sensors not in Apple Watch SE 3
• Day-long battery
• Optional 5G cellular networking
• Apple Watch SE 3 review: Final thoughts
• Pricing

Always-on screen. Finally!

The most obvious change in the updated smartwatch is the always-on display. Previously, just checking the time required an extra moment while the screen activated. No more, because the display never completely turns off. It does dim to save power, but the clock (whatever form it takes in the Watch Face you’re using) stays bright. Don’t mistake this for a small improvement — it makes 90% of interactions with the Watch better.

Not everything changed. The screen size options are either 44mm or 40mm, like the SE 2. True, the new Apple Watch Series 11 goes up to 46mm, plus you also get a higher screen resolution on the pricier models. Neither are very noticeable differences. Not to me, anyway.

And the budget model’s screen brightness tops out at 1000 nits while the Series 11 goes up to 2000 nits. In my testing, I haven’t needed a brighter display.

Apple promises the cover glass is four times more resistant to cracks than the previous generation. I haven’t had to test that yet, thankfully.

No cheap look and feel here

Before the launch, I waffled between the Apple Watch SE 3 and Series 11. A trip to an Apple Store made the decision easy. Both models were on display side by side, and I needed to read the model name off the back of each device to tell them apart. If I’m going to pay $150 more for a device, I expect it to be significantly better, but there were no obvious differences between the pricier and the more affordable Watches just by looking them over.

That said, the budget model comes in only two color options — black and silver — while Series 11 offers more, with rose gold the standout. You also can’t get the SE 3 in an expensive titanium casing because of course you can’t.

If you need more help after reading this review on making your own decision between the Apple Watch SE 3 and Series 11, go to an Apple Store and compare the designs and screens. Just be aware that you also might need to read the model names off the backs of the devices to tell them apart.

High-end performance

A critical feature of the Apple Watch SE 3 is the S10 processor. That’s the same chip in the new Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 — so no matter what you pay, you won’t get faster performance.

That’s important for the long haul. Your smartwatch will still be speedy years from now. If Apple had hobbled the SE 3 with an older processor, it would have been sluggish by 2028. As it is, that’s not something you need to worry about.

Plus, the S10 enables on-device Siri, which speeds up the voice assistant. Siri has problems and limitations, but I nevertheless use it all the time on my Watch.

Of course the device runs the just-launched watchOS 26, which comes with quite a few new features: Liquid Glass, Workout Buddy and more.

Useful new gestures

The S10 enables the double tap and wrist flick gestures that were previously reserved for pricier models.

I underestimated how useful the double tap gesture is until I had an Apple Watch that supports it. Simply tapping my index finger and thumb together on the hand wearing the watch is enough to control many apps. I use it to pause podcasts and start exercise sessions.

The wrist flick gesture is a new one-handed gesture in watchOS 26 that dismisses notifications, silences calls and timers, and jumps back to the Watch Face by rotating the wrist away then back.

Old and new health and fitness features

Over the years, the fitness features of my various Apple Watch models have made me more active, and probably added years to my life. I have a sedentary job, and being nagged to get up and move more is just what I need. While Apple Watch SE 3 doesn’t add to these capabilities, don’t devalue what the movement tracker and stand tracker contribute to the device.

And while the smartwatch keeps the same health-tracking capabilities of its predecessors, like heart-rate monitoring and fall detection, it also adds fresh ones to the list.

Among the additions is a sleep score, which tracks sleep duration, bedtime consistency, how often a person wakes up, and how much time is spent in each sleep stage. I’m quickly becoming addicted to it. Studies show that poor sleep habits can have devastating long-term effects on health. Maybe being challenged by the Watch to sleep better can help. Just be aware that wearing your Apple Watch while sleeping means you need to charge it some other time of the day, which is kind of a hassle.

Apple spent years trying to enable its Watches to show the wearer’s temperature. It’s still not there yet because the temperature at the wrist is too easily affected by outside factors. Still, the SE 3 includes general wrist temperature sensing. This gives some insight into overall health, and it also makes retrospective ovulation estimates possible.

The smartwatch also now offers sleep apnea notifications. Get this device, and you may be notified you have a serious health problem you were unaware of.

Thanks to watchOS 26, Apple Watch SE 3 features Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence. This uses the wearer’s workout data and fitness history to offer personalized, spoken motivational comments.

Health sensors not in Apple Watch SE 3

While Apple’s new budget wearable offers tough competition for the equally new Series 11 model, the pricier model offers some additional health sensors. The SE 3 lacks a blood oxygen sensor, an ECG sensor and hypertension notifications.

If you think you should have any of these, you’ll need to choose the Series 11.

Day-long battery

Apple promises 18 hours on a single charge — an signifiant underestimate by my experience. I had no problem getting my Apple Watch SE 3 to go a full 24 hours so I can charge it first thing every morning. That’s necessary because I like to track my sleep score.

The disadvantage of sleep tracking is that I need to charge the wearable at some point during the day. Fortunately, the 2025 version is the first SE to feature fast charging. It juices up to 2x faster than the previous generation.  In my testing, the wearable can charge up about 75% in 45 minutes. After an ordinary day, my Watch battery is around 10%-20%, and I need to give it an hour to get back to 100%.

Those who aren‘t interested in sleep tracking can drop the Watch on a charger when they go to bed, and it’ll be ready in the morning. It’ll easily last 18 hours between you waking up and hitting the sack.

Optional 5G cellular networking

Years ago, the iPhone was tied to Mac because a Mac (or PC) was needed to install OS upgrades. That eventually came to an end. Today, an Apple Watch needs an iPhone, but I continue to think that’ll eventually stop. Perhaps a step in that direction is the option to put 5G cellular-wireless networking in all the 2025 Apple Watch models, including the SE 3.

As it is, 5G in the affordable wearable speeds up downloads of music, podcasts, and apps when away from Wi-Fi. Just note that it adds $50 to the price, plus the cost of monthly service.

Apple Watch SE 3 review: Final thoughts

Before you buy an Apple Watch Series 11, think hard about whether an SE 3 might be all you need. The budget model is every bit as fast, has almost all the features, and looks just about as good. You could save yourself $150 or more.

And you’ll be pleased with the improvements over older models.

★★★★★

Pricing

Price is the most critical feature of the Apple Watch SE series. The third generation version comes in at $249 for the 40mm base model, the same price as its predecessor. The 44mm variant starts at $279.

Amazing value!

Apple Watch SE 3 (Wi-Fi, 40mm)

5.0

$239.00

Apple Watch SE 3 offers health, fitness, connectivity, and safety features running on the powerful S10 chip. The smartwatch boasts an Always-On display, the double tap and wrist flick gestures, on-device Siri and fast charging.

Pros:

• Packed with pro-level features
• Most affordable Apple Watch

Cons:

• Lacks blood oxygen sensor, ECG sensor

Buy from Amazon

05/27/2026 06:14 am GMT

Apple did not provide Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

In testing the latest AirPods Pro 3 for this review, I found Apple’s high-end earbuds deliver remarkable audio quality and practically unbelievable active noise cancellation. Add to that a heart rate monitor that’s on par with the Apple Watch’s sensor, and Apple has made the best earbuds around even better.

The biggest upgrade is the AirPods Pro 3’s new foam-infused ear tips. They help increase the earbuds’ noise cancellation to uncanny levels. Plus, somehow, the audio quality sounds punchier than ever. I get better sound out of Apple’s tiny earbuds than from some over-ear headphones.

Here’s how the AirPods Pro 3 stack up to their predecessors.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

AirPods Pro 3 review

Ever since the first-gen AirPods Pro arrived in 2019, Apple’s high-end earbuds have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible from such a tiny piece of technology. With awesome audio quality and surprisingly good active noise cancellation, they raised the bar significantly over the original AirPods, which rewrote the recipe for wireless headphones when Apple released them in 2016. 

As with all AirPods, the third-gen Pro model goes above and beyond typical Bluetooth earbuds, offering instant pairing, loads of smart features and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.  The defining feature of all AirPods Pro models is the active noise cancellation and the silicone ear tips, which provide a better seal and thus better sound quality. And Apple just made those ear tips better than ever.

Still, Apple didn’t put a new chip inside the AirPods Pro 3. They come with the same H2 chip as AirPods Pro 2. As a result, one of the new earbuds’ headline features — Live Translation — works with some older models, too.

Best earbuds for Apple fans

Apple AirPods Pro 3

$199.00

Apple's best wireless earbuds get even better, adding a heart rate monitor and tweaks that boost active noise cancellation and deliver even better audio quality.

Pros:

• Supports Live Translation feature
• Foam-infused ear tips for better fit and ANC
• Built-in heart rate monitor
• Can function as hearing aids

Cons:

• Only available in white

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Apple

05/26/2026 09:15 pm GMT

Table of contents: AirPods Pro 3 review

1. Design
2. Live translation
3. Heart rate monitoring
4. New ear tips
5. Audio quality
6. Battery life
7. All its smart audio modes
8. Conclusion

Design

The AirPods Pro 3 might look identical to the AirPods Pro 2 at first glance, but there are a few subtle changes. The earbuds themselves are a bit more rounded, akin to the regular AirPods 4 (which come in a $129 basic model and a $179 model with active noise cancellation that’s not as powerful as the Pros).

The interior of the buds has a “custom multiport acoustic architecture,” according to Kate Bergeron, Apple’s VP of hardware engineering, whatever that means.

Apple is usually stellar at hiding plastic seams, so I’m surprised how visible the seam is in the AirPods Pro 3. I imagine the tiny size and super-curvy shape both make it incredibly challenging to get perfect — and don’t get me wrong, it’s hardly obvious. But compared to the virtually invisible seam in the AirPods Pro 3 charging case, it’s surprising.

Another shocker: The size of that charging case is ever-so-slightly larger than the previous case. I was really hoping for it to get a little smaller, but it bulges more than my wallet when in my pocket. As a result, I stick it in my pants’ little coin pocket. (Sorry, iPod nano.)

AirPods Pro 3 review: Live Translation

Live Translation in your ears is the stuff of science fiction, now made reality. It depends on Apple’s Translate app, which supports far fewer languages than Google Translate. (It’s also seemingly less accurate.)

To test the new Live Translation feature with AirPods Pro 3, I phoned up Niléane of MacStories and Comfort Zone, who spoke to me exclusively in French over a video call. She simulated being a non-English speaker by muting my audio, so she was dependent on reading my translated words.

We seemed to have a very coherent conversation. The translations were not totally accurate, but we could absolutely parse what we were each trying to say. It felt like talking to an almost-fluent speaker of the language. Many times, the grammar sounded slightly wrong or unnatural. But to be fair, I was intentionally trying to push the limits. If I were actually in France, I would probably try speaking in simpler sentences to make it easier to translate.

Remember to speak slowly and clearly

One mistake came right at the beginning. I apologized for kicking off the conversation with a “word salad,” but tried to pivot by asking, “What is your favorite type of salad, while we’re at it?” The earbuds translated that as, “What’s your favorite type of salad when he’s a rabbit?” That obviously confused Niléane.

It seems to have misheard me — a reminder that the first step of Live Translation with AirPods is turning your speech into text. If it mishears you in the first place, it’ll translate that garbage into something worse. If you use your iPhone dictation to type often, you’ll know that rushing through words like you’re having a natural conversation isn’t how you achieve the best results. Live Translation with AirPods can fool you into forgetting that you’re actually talking to your computer.

There’s a somewhat awkward pause between when someone is done speaking and you’re still receiving (or waiting for) the translation. However, that’s inherent to the process. Some phrases change their meaning when you get to the end, so the machine must wait till you finish talking. You can download languages to your iPhone, so you don’t need to worry about internet latency, although accuracy will take a slight hit.

AirPods Pro 3 review: Heart rate monitoring

Although heart rate monitoring is old news to anybody with an Apple Watch, it’s a rare addition to earbuds. Apple added the feature to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 … but it didn’t deliver the goods. Those earbuds apparently could not register an accurate heart rate reading.

AirPods Pro 3 seemingly perform far better than Powerbeats Pro 2 in this regard. I took a brisk walk through a local park with the AirPods Pro 3 paired to my iPhone 16 Pro and my Apple Watch paired to my iPhone Air. The Apple Watch is renowned for its incredible accuracy, so I figured it should serve as a good measuring stick.

To my surprise, the numbers came in virtually identical. My AirPods Pro 3 say I averaged 140 bpm; my Apple Watch says 139 bpm. Active and total calories burned are within 7% of each other. While the heart rate chart from the Apple Watch offers more detail with regard to heart rate zones, both show the same overall readings.

Apple didn’t mention any specific difference between the designs of the two heart rate monitors — possibly because the Powerbeats Pro 2 are still on sale. I’m not really sure why the AirPods Pro 3 hardware works better. Both earbuds are powered by Apple’s H2 chip, both feature in-ear tips for a precise and secure fit, and both heart rate sensors appear to be roughly the same size. However, the PowerBeats Pro 2 tips aren’t infused with foam, and fit somewhat looser, which may be a factor.

New ear tips

The AirPods Pro 3 silicone ear tips are lined inside with a thin layer of foam, which helps create a tight seal and allows for twice the noise cancellation, according to Apple. This means that even when active noise cancellation is turned off, there’s still quite a lot of cancellation happening. So, you might find yourself reaching for Transparency mode a little more often than before if you want to hear what’s going on around you.

Figuring out the right ear tips took a few tries. The foam in the ear tips makes them quite firm, so you might need a smaller size than you expect. My right ear being a little larger than my left doesn’t help. At first, I stuck with the medium tip in the left and the large in the right. They felt super-secure, but quickly became uncomfortable.

I played around with different sizes over the next few days. I briefly tried the extra small ear tip and immediately confirmed that it was too loose. At the time of writing, I’m using the small tip in each ear, and it’s the most comfortable setup yet, but I’ll see if either of them fall out.

I’d really like it if the cardboard ear tip tray that ships with AirPods Pro 3 came with an empty spot for the medium tips to go in. Keeping track of which ear tips are in which spot can get confusing once you start moving them around. At least the ear tips come with their size molded on the inside, under the “umbrella” (in nearly-impossible-to-read tiny letters).

AirPods Pro 3 review: Audio quality

The audio quality of AirPods Pro 3 is beyond excellent for tiny ear buds — it’s excellent, period. The amount of bass they pump out is stunning. I’ve used loads of on-ear and over-ear headphones that sound worse.

Plus, it’s eerie how quiet the world gets when you turn on AirPods Pro 3’s active noise cancellation. All of the noisiest activities I do — mowing the lawn, running the vacuum, blow-drying my hair — are reduced to a gentle whisper with ANC on.

The AirPods Pro 3’s audio latency (or lack thereof) is stellar, too. If you use other Bluetooth headphones, you’re probably used to hitting pause and waiting a full second for the music to stop. The latency with AirPods Pro 3 is so low that I feel confident editing video in Final Cut Pro on my Mac while wearing them. I can’t say the same about any other Bluetooth headphones.

Battery life

The AirPods Pro 3 battery life is improved, boosted from six hours with active noise cancellation up to eight. You can now go a full standard workday while kicking it to a number one jam instead of listening to your co-workers.

Unfortunately, the battery life of the AirPods Pro 3 case is worse than before — decreased from 30 hours to 24. I have no clue why.

If I had to choose improving one and taking away another, this is the balance I would have chosen. More battery life in the earbuds, because that’s more continuous listening time, and less in the case, because placing it on a Qi charger while I’m at my desk isn’t hard. But why did Apple make that trade-off? It’s not as if the earbuds became larger and took away volume from the case. And it’s not as if the case offers any new features that would decrease its battery life.

I asked Apple for comment and have not received a reply.

All the AirPods Pro 3’s smart audio modes

As with previous Pro models, AirPods Pro 3 offer three basic noise cancellation modes: Off, Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Transparency boosts the volume of nearby real-world sounds. Active Noise Cancellation silences everything around you. Off does nothing, simply playing audio like ordinary earbuds.

As someone who only owned the original AirPods, not a Pro model, I never quite understood the difference between all the smart audio features Apple added over the years. However, it’s not as confusing as I thought.

• Adaptive Audio blends between ANC and Transparency, depending on the situation.
• Conversation Awareness isn’t a separate mode, but a feature you can enable in any mode, even with ANC off. It automatically cuts the volume of anything you’re listening to through your AirPods and boosts voices anytime the earbuds detect that you (or someone nearby) is talking. Unfortunately, I find it takes just a second too long to turn on, so I often need to ask someone to repeat themselves if I’m listening to something loud.
• Personal Volume raises and lowers the volume based on the ambient noise of the room and your personal preferences.

I think you should find your favorite two modes and assign those as the “Press and hold AirPods” shortcut, so you can quickly toggle between them.

Conclusion: AirPods Pro 3 review

In my testing for this review, I found AirPods Pro 3 deliver remarkable performance and extraordinary features that seem nearly unbelievable from such a small piece of gear.

The heart rate tracking is an excellent addition for people who don’t want an Apple Watch. And while Live Translation may not be perfect, it works pretty well — and is much easier than learning a second language.

If there’s a contentious change in the AirPods Pro 3, it’s the fit of the new foam-infused ear tips. Not everybody’s ears are shaped the same, obviously. And it might take a while for you to find the right fit, even if you’re coming from a previous set of AirPods Pro. Still, those new ear tips help the AirPods Pro 3 achieve miraculous levels of noise cancellation.

So, should you buy AirPods Pro 3?

Ultimately, if you already own AirPods Pro 2 and they’ve still got good batteries in them, you could wait it out if you don’t crave the best noise cancellation possible. Upgrade whenever it’s time; none of the AirPods Pro 3 features are a must-have (and some also work with AirPods Pro 2).

However, if you’re an Apple fan and you don’t own any AirPods, AirPods Pro 3 are a no-brainer. At $249 (the same price as AirPods Pro 2), they’re a little pricey. But they never fail to amaze. If you have a bunch of Apple devices in your life, the seamless switching between them all is unparalleled. The sound quality is impeccable. And the feature list continues to grow.

With AirPods Pro 3, the best earbuds in the world just keep getting better.

Buy from: Amazon or Apple

Best earbuds for Apple fans

Apple AirPods Pro 3

$199.00

Apple's best wireless earbuds get even better, adding a heart rate monitor and tweaks that boost active noise cancellation and deliver even better audio quality.

Pros:

• Supports Live Translation feature
• Foam-infused ear tips for better fit and ANC
• Built-in heart rate monitor
• Can function as hearing aids

Cons:

• Only available in white

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Apple

05/26/2026 09:15 pm GMT

★★★★★

Apple put an always-on screen in the iPhone 17 and improved the display’s refresh rate to 120 Hz. Plus, the selfie cam got a brilliant new feature. There are plenty of other enhancements too — including double the storage capacity! — which all combine to make Apple’s new base-model iPhone a welcome upgrade for those ready to move up from an aging device.

This is the first time I’ve regularly used a basic iOS model in almost a decade. I’m impressed with what Apple offers for $799. It’s really made me question the need for a Pro model. Here’s why.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

iPhone 17 review

The iPhone Pro and Pro Max models always get the most attention from customers and journalists alike. It’s not surprising — they include the best cameras, processors, screens, etc. And this year the ultra-slim iPhone Air is equally distracting.

But don’t overlook the humble base model iPhone 17. Especially as it’s not so humble. Apple poured in so many upgrades — especially to the screen! — that it’s never been stronger competition for the Pro versions. Skipping the Pro saves you at least $300. Here’s why you should consider it.

Best value

iPhone 17 (256GB model)

5.0

$799

iPhone 17 brings some real upgrades over previous years' models, including an always-on, 120Hz ProMotion display, a much-improved Center Stage selfie camera and a minimum of 256GB storage.

Pros:

• Pro-level features, including always-on, ProMotion screen
• Extra-durable Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass
• Available in lavender, sage, mist blue, white and black
• Brilliant Center Stage selfie cam

Cons:

• Not Apple's most advanced camera system.
• Same design as iPhone 16.

Read our hands-on review: Screen and camera upgrades make iPhone 17 Apple’s best base model ever

Buy from Apple

Buy from Best Buy

Table of contents: iPhone 17 review

• A 120 Hz, always-on screen that’s packed with other features
• A Center Stage selfie cam
• Ultrawide camera upgrade
• Double the storage!
• Better performance from the A19 processor
• Not a (significant) redesign but pretty colors
• iPhone 17 battery life
• iPhone 17 review: Final thoughts
• Pricing

Pricing

A 120 Hz, always-on screen that’s packed with other features

If I had made a wishlist of features to improve previous base-model iPhone screens, then the iPhone 17 fulfills every one of them.

First off, it’s an always-on display, something previously reserved for Pro models. The screen dims but doesn’t turn off completely, which makes glancing at the handset for the time or the latest notifications a snap. And the screen brightness goes all the way up to 3000 nits for use outdoors — much brighter than older iPhones.

In a related improvement, the iPhone 17 now sports a ProMotion screen, so the refresh rate varies from 120Hz down to 10Hz. The higher refresh rate makes scrolling through text look better — there’s no jitter — and the higher refresh rate looks great when playing games that support it. On the other end of the scale, the lower rate helps preserve battery life when you have the screen dimmed, or when viewing static content.

If all that weren’t enough, the iPhone 17 display grew to 6.3 inches, up from the 6.1-inch LCD in the iPhone 16 and earlier versions. The additional screen area isn’t a huge difference, but every little bit helps.

A feature you hopefully won’t need, but may come to appreciate, is Ceramic Shield 2. Apple promises 3x better scratch resistance. As a bonus, this also reduces how reflective the display is.

There are enough improvements to the iPhone 17 screen to justify an upgrade from an iPhone 13 or 14 even if Apple didn’t make any other changes to the handset. But there are plenty.

A Center Stage selfie cam

Center Stage is a brilliant feature that lets the front-facing camera follow someone on a video call, as though the camera were moving on its own. The feature came to iPad years ago, and I try to never make a video call without it. I’m thrilled that it’s included in Apple’s latest handset.

My testing of Center Stage on the iPhone 17 confirms that the days when I had to carefully keep the selfie cam aimed toward my face during FaceTime calls are over. As long as the camera is pointed in my general direction, I’m centered in the video. I can concentrate more on what I’m saying and pay less attention to the mechanics of the call. The people I’m talking to also benefit — it seems like I hold my iPhone very steady, even when I don’t.

This is an example of Apple doing things right. Rather than enhancing the selfie cam by dumping in more megapixels, it made the camera far more useful.

That said, Apple also dumped in a lot more megapixels. The front-facing camera went from 12 MP to 18MP. And the shape of the camera changed so it now takes landscape pictures with the phone held in portrait mode. This means that taking a group photo doesn’t require turning the phone sideways.

Plus, iPhone 17 supports Dual Capture. This lets you record a video from the rear camera while simultaneously recording with the front-facing one. The resulting video has the selfie video embedded in a small window, just like when you were recording.

Honestly, I’m astonished Apple put these selfie cam upgrades in the base-model iPhone 17 now. These are exactly the sort of features that are typically a Pro model exclusive for a year or two. Not this time.

Ultrawide camera upgrade

Cameras are important. For some people I know, it’s primarily what they use their phone for. For everyone else, it’s a major feature — which Apple is fully aware of. That said, the main iPhone 17 camera didn’t get an upgrade this year, so it stays at a 48-megapixel resolution with 2x optical zoom. Still, it’s vastly better than the 12MP camera with no optical zoom in an iPhone 14.

And the iPhone 17 ultrawide camera did get a resolution boost, going from 12MP to 48MP. This is the camera used for group shots and landscapes. Don’t forget it’s there — activate it by tapping on the “.5” just above the shutter button in the Camera app. It’s also used for macro shots when you want to get really close up. 

The base model iPhone is ideal for the “point and shoot” photographer. If what you want is to open the Camera app, point the camera at your friend, child, pet, etc. and take a picture, you’ll be completely happy with the iPhone 17, and you don’t need to pay extra for a Pro version. Pricier models are best for people who dig around in the Camera settings to achieve certain photography effects. If you don’t do that, paying a lot more for a Pro seems a waste of your money.

The stand-out exception is the telescopic photography. iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max include a native 4x optical zoom, plus Apple says it delivers optical-quality 8x zoom. In short, the Pro models are far better at zooming in on distant objects than the iPhone 17. Its 2x optical zoom is one of the few limitations in the device.

All the cameras Apple builds into the full range of iPhone models are excellent at taking everyday pictures, including the one in the iPhone 17.

Double the storage!

To hold all the great pictures you’re going to take, the base model iPhone 17 comes with 256GB of storage capacity — double the earlier models. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max also start at this same capacity, so no advantage there.

Apple gets regularly criticized for overcharging for iPhone memory, so I’m happy to say that all that additional storage capacity comes at a $0 increase in the base model.

That said, if you want to configure your iPhone with 512 GB of storage, it’ll cost you an additional $200.

Better performance from the A19 processor

The iPhone 17 runs an Apple A19 processor, a jump up from the A18 in the 2024 handsets. In real-world terms, I tried to stress the chip by playing graphics-intensive RPG with the phone connected to an external display. It was no problem.

I had to turn to the Geekbench 6 CPU benchmarking application to see how powerful the chip is. The handset scored about 9,400 on the Multi-Core CPU test. For comparison, the iPhone 16 scores about 8,200 on the same test, while the older iPhone 14 gets about 5,500. That’s a 15% jump from last year’s model, and a 70% increase from the earlier one.

And the two pricier iPhone 17 Pro models score around 9,950 in the CPU test. That means the more expensive versions function about 6% faster — nice but hardly a dramatic improvement.

In Geekbench 6’s Metal test, which stresses the GPU, the iPhone 17 scored about 37,400. For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max gets about 44,000 thanks to an additional GPU core.

For those coming from an older iPhone, your device doesn’t have very poor daily performance, so a faster chip won’t speed up your day-to-day usage much. But you’ll likely be glad for it when long-delayed Apple Intelligence features finally come along. That includes the AI-infused version of Siri that might finally make Apple’s voice assistant worth using.

The iPhone 17 includes 8GB of RAM, the same as its predecessor, and more than earlier ones. Reportedly, 8GB is the minimal amount needed for Apple Intelligence. Pro models have 12GB. Only time will tell if that’ll make a real-world difference in handling AI.

Not a (significant) redesign but pretty colors

Getting a larger 6.3-inch screen required slightly increasing the height of the iPhone 17. But otherwise, the design remains unchanged. And that’s a good thing. Most notably, Apple’s latest base model skipped the enormous camera hump that the rest of the iPhone 17 series got.

Like the iPhone 16, it includes the newish Camera Control button (yawn) and the Action Button. The old Lightning port has thankfully been sent to the dustbin of history in favor of USB-C.  

The base model iPhone 17 comes in lavender, mist blue, sage, white or black casings — a much wider range of options than the Pro versions.

iPhone 17 battery life

Apple promises the iPhone 17 delivers up to 30 hours of video playback, or up to 27 hours if the video is streamed. For comparison, Apple also says the iPhone 16 offers up to 22 hours of video playback. That’s a 22% increase.

I have not had the iPhone 17 long enough to have reliable data on its battery life. For one thing, a new iPhone can have poor battery life until iOS 26 gets itself properly indexed. Also, iOS 26 includes a new feature called Adaptive Power that extends battery life, but this needs to learn my regular usage patterns first.

I’ll update this review when I have something more useful to say about the new iPhone 17 battery life.

iPhone 17 review: Final thoughts

If you have your eye on an iPhone 17 Pro because you think the Pro models are the only good handsets Apple makes, the base model iPhone 17 should come as a wake-up call for you. Dramatic improvements to the display, the Center Stage selfie cam, twice as much storage and many other enhancements make it closer to the Pro versions than ever.

★★★★★

Price: The same or cheaper

One of the standout features of the base model iPhone 17 is the $799 starting price, the same as last year’s model. But Apple’s newest includes 256GB of storage, while the iPhone 16 with that much capacity sold for $899. That means the new model is effectively $100 cheaper than its predecessor.

And the iPhone 17 costs $300 less than the iPhone 17 Pro. Given the close competition between the base model 17 versus the 17 Pro, think hard before putting down the extra cash.

Best value

iPhone 17 (256GB model)

5.0

$799

iPhone 17 brings some real upgrades over previous years' models, including an always-on, 120Hz ProMotion display, a much-improved Center Stage selfie camera and a minimum of 256GB storage.

Pros:

• Pro-level features, including always-on, ProMotion screen
• Extra-durable Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass
• Available in lavender, sage, mist blue, white and black
• Brilliant Center Stage selfie cam

Cons:

• Not Apple's most advanced camera system.
• Same design as iPhone 16.

Read our hands-on review: Screen and camera upgrades make iPhone 17 Apple’s best base model ever

Buy from Apple

Buy from Best Buy

Apple did not provide Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

Professional photographer Austin Mann dropped another edition of his annual iPhone Pro camera reviews Wednesday. He took his new iPhone 17 Pro up into northern Italy’s Dolomite Mountains during a biking, cycling and paragliding trip. Stunning photography resulted.

“At Apple’s keynote last week, I was most interested in the new 48-megapixel 4x telephoto lens, the 8x telephoto lens, Center Stage selfie mode, 4K ProRes Log at 120FPS and the new Photographic Style, Bright,” he wrote. “As always, Apple’s presentation is full of flashy new tech, but I always have one question: How will this new tech make our pictures and videos better?”

Find his in-depth video and a link to his full review with many more photos below.

Austin Mann iPhone 17 Pro camera review

Mann and his team cycled more than 150 miles, climbing nearly 20,000 feet through the Dolomites section of the Italian Alps in the northeastern corner of the country. He said they gained a lot of insight about the new iPhone 17 Pro camera system.

“After extensively testing the iPhone 17 Pro camera system, I can confidently say the biggest improvement for photographers this year is the new 48MP 4x lens and the 8x telephoto,” Mann wrote. “These focal lengths feel right and open up opportunities to capture fresh perspectives.”

He noted iPhone 16 Pro’s 5x (120mm) telephoto “often felt a little too tight.” But the new 4x (100mm) not only feels more natural, but more familiar. 

“It’s a classic portrait and landscape focal length in the photography world, and with the bump up from 12MP to 48MP I’ve been really happy with the results,” he said. “The mountains + fog have been stunning and this is the first time I feel like I can really capture the beautiful landscapes I’m cycling through.”

Read Mann’s review with many more photographs. Watch his in-depth video below.

Watch the iPhone 17 Pro camera review video

 

With my history of back trouble, I relied on standing desks and kneeling chairs way back when you hardly ever saw such things in offices. But since then standing desks have become essential in the modern workspace, offering flexibility and health benefits for anyone who spends long hours at a computer. This Uplift Standing Desk V3 review looks at the latest in Uplift’s well-regarded line of adjustable workstations, released Wednesday. 

In a nutshell, if you can afford it, this thing rocks. And the base version is actually pretty affordable. It’ll lift up any Mac setup in more ways than one. 

Uplift Standing Desk V3 review

After spending a few weeks with this desk as my primary M4 Pro MacBook Pro and dual-5K-display workstation, I’m ready to share my hands-on experience with its outstanding build quality, useful features, healthful ergonomics and overall value proposition. 

Table of contents: Uplift Standing Desk V3 review

• Elegant design and exceptional build quality
• Not-too-painful assembly experience
• Features and functionality
• Stability testing
• Many customization options
• User experience
• Comparison to V2
• Potential drawbacks
• Uplift Standing Desk V3 review: Conclusion

Elegant design and exceptional build quality

Uplift Standing Desk V3 and it various iterations maintains the sleek and elegant aesthetic that made previous models popular while introducing substantial engineering improvements.

The curved bamboo top I selected using Uplift’s desk-builder tool for my version is immediately striking — the 1-inch thick surface features gentle contours along the front edge that provide my arms a more ergonomic resting position during extended work sessions. The bamboo itself is sustainably harvested and presents a warm, natural appearance that elevates my workspace. It’s not the fanciest material or finish on offer — of 30 choices, many quite exotic — but it’s beautiful.

The desktop surface arrives with a smooth, matte finish that’s pleasant to touch and resistant to fingerprints and smudges. And the curved edge design isn’t merely an aesthetic choice — it’s a thoughtful approach to user comfort.

The V3’s frame has been significantly reinforced compared to the V2, with several key improvements:

• Redesigned foot with TremorGuard technology that enhances stability.
• New I-Beam center rails that provide superior rigidity.
• Reinforced motor housing plate that reduces vibration.
• Thicker steel components with improved welding techniques.

Available in four colors (black, white, industrial and gray), the heavy steel frame complements the bamboo top beautifully while concealing most of the mechanical components. The adjustable feet have been redesigned with a wider footprint, substantially enhancing stability even at maximum height. I chose the white frame and use casters to roll the heavy desk easily. 

Not-too-painful assembly experience

Assembly is fairly straightforward, though it took me and my ringer for big projects — my brother, the engineer — more than 90 minutes to complete. It can be done faster. But it’s best if you have some help and, though not required, a drill. With its heavy steel legs and solid top (mine is 30in x 60in), this is not some flimsy piece of furniture. It makes my other standing desk seem like it’s made of tin and plywood. 

The V3 continues Uplift’s tradition of including all necessary tools and clearly labeled components. The frame can be completed with the included Allen wrench. The instruction manual includes detailed illustrations and clear step-by-step guidance. Adding more accessories adds more instructions, but it’s not too complicated. It’s all part of the same ecosystem. 

And certain elements make V3 assembly pretty easy:

• Key components come pre-assembled (crossbar ends, rails and control box).
• You can assemble the entire desk using included Allen wrench, though it helps to have a drill to drive in screws and a Phillips-head screwdriver for some accessories.
• Pre-drilled mounting points and thoughtfully organized hardware packets are your friends.

One improvement over the V2 is V3’s redesigned cable management system. Its FlexMount Cable Manager and upgraded hook-and-loop wraps are now easier to install and more effective at keeping your workspace tidy. Without having to spend many tedious hours on it, I was able to hide hideous tangles of cables reasonably well. 

One minor drawback: if you plan to add accessories like keyboard trays or CPU holders, some additional drilling may be required. But the patented accessory mounting system is generally user-friendly. I added a keyboard tray, under-desk shelf underneath and monitor arms on the back without having to empty my bank account into the swear jar. 

Features and functionality

The V3 retains the 355-pound weight capacity of its predecessor and adjusts from 22.6 to 48.7 inches (with a 1-inch desktop), accommodating ~95% of users, and an optional foot-raiser supports taller setups, according to the company.

The dual-motor lift system has been refined for the V3, offering:

• Faster height adjustment (2 inches per second with dual-motor lift, smooth and fast)
• Significantly quieter operation (< 48dB, I found it to be impressively quiet)
• Enhanced weight capacity with improved balance

Uplift refined the control panel with a more intuitive interface and a crisper LED display. The standard offering includes four programmable height presets, allowing quick transitions between favorite positions. It’s easy to install and use. A wireless foot switch with up and down pedals is optional. 

The company also redesigned the anti-collision system in the V3. Now it includes a six-axis gyroscope that provides more sensitive detection and stops movement immediately upon encountering resistance. The desk also now complies with updated ANSI/BIFMA standards, adding peace of mind regarding safety and durability.

The anti-collision system is helpful. I set up the desk up against a wall with a large piece of wall art hanging precariously by one nail. It’d be easy to knock that down if I didn’t make sure the desk and monitor arms stay a couple inches away from it. And the desk won’t even raise or lower if the art’s in the way. 

Uplift continues to offer Bluetooth connectivity as an optional upgrade, enabling desk control via smartphone app. The app now includes improved activity tracking features that monitor sitting and standing time, with customizable reminders to change positions throughout the day.

Stability testing

The V3’s stability seems outstanding to me compared to the relatively wobbly standing desk I’ve been using. While the V2 already stood among the most stable standing desks on the market, the V3 reduces wobble by an estimated 30% at maximum height, Uplift said. 

Front-to-back stability has been significantly enhanced by the redesigned feet with TremorGuard technology and strengthened crossbar system. Side-to-side movement, often the Achilles’ heel of standing desks, has been minimized through the I-Beam center rails and improved frame geometry.

When typing at maximum height, the desk remains impressively steady, with minimal monitor movement even during intense typing sessions. It’s hard to get rid of it completely, but I’ll take V3’s slight tremor over my other desk’s big wobble any day. 

Many customization options

Uplift maintains its industry-leading approach to customization with the V3. Beyond the curved bamboo top, over 30 desktop options are available, including various laminates, solid woods and reclaimed materials. The curved bamboo option adds $120 to the base price but delivers ergonomic and aesthetic benefits that justify the premium. Several options add a couple hundred bucks and some top $1,000.

The accessory ecosystem has expanded further with the V3, with options including:

• Under-desk keyboard trays (tried it but prefer keyboard on the desk)
• Power management solutions (e.g., in-desk power grommet for another place to plug in)
• Cable organizers like sleeves (tame the cable clutter!)
• Monitor arms (I love these for freeing up desk space)
• Under-desk shelves (good alternative for laptop placement)
• On desk shelves (can be useful to elevate speakers or hold a CPU, for example)
• Desk lamps (clamp or base)
• Optional casters instead of leveling glides (I chose casters for easier movement)

Uplift includes four free accessories with each desk purchase, enhancing the value proposition. The patented accessory mounting system makes adding these extras pretty straightforward.

User experience

Daily use reveals the V3’s thoughtful design improvements. The curved bamboo edge on my version provides comfortable arm support during long typing sessions, reducing wrist fatigue (and it looks cool). The desk transitions smoothly between heights, with minimal lag between button press and movement. Movement is faster and motor noise quieter than other standing desks I’ve used.

The memory height settings maintain perfect accuracy over time, eliminating the need for readjustments. The anti-collision system works reliably, stopping movement instantly when meeting resistance. The overall user experience feels refined and premium.

Particularly impressive is the V3’s stability when supporting multiple monitors, speakers and other peripherals. Even with a fully loaded desktop, the V3 maintains rock-solid performance at all heights, inspiring confidence in the desk’s build quality and engineering.

The bamboo top proves especially versatile — it works well for standard office tasks as well as creative work. It photographs beautifully and offers a warm, natural backdrop that doesn’t distract with complex textures or reflections. It’s a nice way to go premium without going full-on “art installation.” But you have options along those lines, too. 

Comparison to V2

Now that V3 is out, a bargain on an Uplift Standing Desk V2 might be tempt you. But the V3 brings key improvements that, taken together, may justify the upgrade for a lot of people:

• Enhanced stability through the TremorGuard feet and I-Beam center rails.
• Quieter, faster motor operation with smoother transitions.
• More sophisticated anti-collision detection with six-axis gyroscope.
• Improved FlexMount cable management system.
• Refined control panel with more intuitive interface.
• V3 lowers the minimum height to 22.6in and sets the maximum at 48.7in while meeting the latest ANSI/BIFMA height guidelines.
• Updated smartphone app with better activity tracking.
• Simplified assembly with more pre-assembled components.
• Enhanced accessory mounting system.

Potential drawbacks

Despite its many strengths, Uplift Standing Desk V3 isn’t without limitations. The base price remains premium compared to budget alternatives, starting $699/$569 (frame only). Adding an exotic top and a generous array of accessories can quickly push the price above $1,000.

Assembly, while straightforward, still requires a time investment and basic mechanical skills. Some accessories, particularly drawers and keyboard trays, may require additional drilling.

The desk’s substantial weight makes it challenging to assemble or to move once assembled, especially with the solid bamboo top. Careful planning of your workspace layout is essential before construction, though the optional caster wheels can help if you anticipate needing to move the desk frequently.

Uplift Standing Desk V3 review: Conclusion

Rock solid

Uplift Standing Desk V3

Uplift's market-leading sit-stand desk gets a number of improvements with its third edition, making a great option even better.

Pros:

• Outstanding build quality
• Smooth, fast and quiet desktop movement
• Many customization options

Cons:

• With heavy components, not necessarily a one-person assembly job
• On the pricey side, but worth it

Read our hands-on review: Super-solid UpLift Standing Desk V3 makes all the difference

Buy from UpLift

The Uplift V3 Standing Desk makes for a thoughtful refinement of an already excellent product. The improved stability through engineering innovations like TremorGuard and I-Beam center rails, enhanced feature set with six-axis anti-collision detection, and maintained commitment to customization make it one of the finest standing desks available in 2025.

For those upgrading from the V2, the improvements are substantial enough to consider an upgrade, particularly if you value enhanced stability, quieter operation, and simpler assembly. For first-time standing desk buyers or those replacing older or lesser models, the V3 delivers an exceptional combination of quality, functionality and aesthetics that should serve you well for many years.

With its 15-year warranty, compliance with ANSI/BIFMA standards, industry-leading stability, and thoughtful design touches, Uplift Standing Desk V3 earns my enthusiastic recommendation as the premium standing desk of choice.

The V3 brings meaningful upgrades in stability, performance and design. V3 desk launches at $699 ($100 more than the V2’s starting price of $599), while the frame-only option is $569.

Buy from: Uplift Desk

★★★★★

Uplift Desk provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

Early reviews of the iPhone 17 lineup say the 2025 models bring Apple’s most significant generational upgrade in years, despite some caveats here and there.

The series spans four models, each targeting different user priorities, from the newly capable base model to the ultra-thin iPhone Air and the two powerhouse Pro variants.

iPhone 17 lineup reviews: Base model finally gets premium treatment

After years of compromises, the standard iPhone model — iPhone 17 — now earns widespread praise for bringing Pro-level features to Apple’s entry-tier device.

Wonderful display

The most transformative change is the display upgrade to 6.3 inches (up from 6.1 inches) with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates and always-on functionality, according to reviewers.

The Verge called the new display “a game changer,” noting that it matches the Pro models “in size, resolution and specs.” The review highlighted how the always-on display makes the device “a whole lot more useful” by allowing users to quickly glance at notifications, widgets and the clock without fully activating the screen.

TechRadar dubbed the display “the star of the show,” praising how ProMotion delivers “a buttery-smooth experience for scrolling, swiping, gaming, streaming and even general navigation” as it dynamically adjusts from 1Hz to 120Hz. The screen also features Ceramic Shield 2, which the review noted makes it “three times as scratch-resistant” compared to iPhone 16.

Camera upgrades

Camera improvements represent another major leap forward. iPhone 17 upgrades to a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera from the previous 12-megapixel version, joining the existing 48-megapixel Wide camera.

CNET welcomed these enhancements, noting that the base model offers “more photo-taking flexibility” than the higher-priced iPhone Air, including 0.5x ultra-wide shots and Cinematic mode video recording.

Surprising performance

Performance testing revealed surprising results. PC Magazine‘s Eric Zeman found the iPhone 17’s A19 processor “runs a bit faster than the iPhone Air” while running cooler under load.

The chip also outperformed Google’s Pixel 10 Tensor G5 processor and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Snapdragon 8 Elite in CPU benchmarks, though it trailed slightly in GPU calculations.

Battery life improvements

Battery life improvements, while modest, proved meaningful in real-world use. Tom’s Guide recorded 12 hours and 47 minutes in testing, a 34-minute improvement over the iPhone 16 despite the larger display. Apple also upgraded charging capabilities, with 35W wired charging reaching 39% in 15 minutes and 71% in 30 minutes, plus 25W Qi 2.2 wireless charging support.

The iPhone 17 starts at $799, making these premium features accessible at the entry level for the first time.

iPhone 17 video reviews

 

iPhone 17 Air: Ultra-thin design meets acceptable compromises

iPhone Air’s headline feature is its remarkably thin 5.6mm profile. But reviewers focused heavily on whether the design’s compromises were worth the premium look. The consensus suggests the trade-offs are more manageable than expected, though not without limitations.

Battery life: Mixed opinions

Battery life emerged as the primary concern, with mixed but generally acceptable results. The Verge called it “just okay,” noting that light users on Wi-Fi “might never have a problem,” but heavy usage could leave the battery “in the 20s before dinnertime.” Testing showed three hours of screen time consuming about 60% of the battery.

Wired was more positive, finding the Air “generally able to last a full day with average use” and hitting “around five hours of screen-on time with around 18 percent left by 10:30 pm.” However, the publication cautioned that “heavy users will undoubtedly need to top up this phone during the day,” citing a travel day that started at 5:30 a.m., with extensive use draining the battery to just 2% by 4:30 p.m.

Robust performance

Performance proved surprisingly robust despite the thin form factor. Tom’s Guide tested sustained performance using 3DMark’s stress test and found the iPhone Air “performed quite well, with stability scores that beat the Galaxy S25 Edge by a fair margin.”

More surprisingly, thermal management exceeded expectations, with the Air running cooler than the iPhone 17 Pro Max under load.

Camera compromises

The camera system represents the Air’s most significant compromise. With only a single 48-megapixel rear camera, CNET found it “surprisingly limiting to not have an ultrawide camera, especially when I wanted to capture more sweeping landscapes.” The review noted Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge includes both wide and ultra-wide cameras, making it “feel like less of a compromise.”

Despite limitations, the review praised the Air’s photo quality, noting that the rear camera “consistently delivered” with “well balanced” shadows and highlights, “true to life” colors and “overall sharpness and clarity.”

The iPhone Air includes Pro features like ProMotion display technology and the A19 Pro chip (with a slightly reduced 5-core GPU), justifying its premium positioning despite the compromises.

iPhone Air video reviews

 

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: Refinement and meaningful upgrades

Pro models received praise for addressing previous generations’ pain points while introducing meaningful new capabilities. The design overhaul features an aluminum unibody frame and full-width rear camera plateau, available in Silver, Deep Blue and Cosmic Orange.

Battery life improvements are key

Battery life improvements stood out as a key advantage over the iPhone Air. Tom’s Guide testing showed the iPhone 17 Pro lasting 15 hours and 32 minutes, a significant improvement over the iPhone 16 Pro’s 14 hours and 7 minutes. Real-world usage confirmed all-day performance even with intensive tasks like photography, video streaming and gaming.

Camera upgrades

The new 48-megapixel telephoto camera enables 4x and 8x optical zoom for the first time. CNET‘s testing found that “4x images taken under good lighting can stand toe-to-toe with images from the main camera,” though 8x images showed “more noise and softness” in challenging conditions. The upgrade from the previous 5x to 4x digital zoom initially seemed like a step backward, but reviewers found the difference negligible in practice.

The new 18-megapixel front-facing camera with automatic rotation and Center Stage functionality rounds out the Pro models’ feature set, though reviewers spent less time evaluating these additions.

Nice thermal management and chip upgrades

Thermal management received significant improvements thanks to the new vapor chamber cooling system. Wired’s testing with demanding games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage showed “significantly smoother” performance compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, with heat “spread out over the entire back of the phone” rather than concentrated in hot spots.

The A19 Pro chip’s Neural Accelerators delivered noticeable improvements in AI tasks. Engadget noted “marked improvement in speed” for Image Playground and Genmoji generation, with the neural accelerators “certainly pulling their weight” in accelerating Apple Intelligence features.

The iPhone 17 Pro models represent Apple’s most refined flagship offering, addressing thermal issues while delivering meaningful camera and performance improvements that justify their premium positioning.

iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max Video reviews

 

Early reviews of Apple Watch Series 11 seem to agree that while it looks just like its predecessor, this incremental update delivers meaningful improvements in some areas.

The biggest upgrade: longer battery life. But those with an Apple Watch Series 9 or 10 can skip this round unless you really want the six-hour battery boost. Check out review notes and review videos below.

Apple Watch Series 11 reviews roundup: Battery life breakthrough ends 18-hour ceiling

Apple unveiled Apple Watch Series 11 alongside Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3 and the iPhone 17 lineup at its Awe Dropping event last week. With the new model closely resembling Apple Watch 10, the most significant upgrade across all reviews is the Series 11’s jump to 24-hour battery life. It ends a decade-long plateau at 18 hours for flagship Apple Watch models.

CNET‘s reviewer consistently managed between 27 and 32 hours per charge, even with heavy usage including notifications, workouts and sleep tracking. The Tom’s Guide reviewer noted she could easily go a day and a half between charges.

TechRadar‘s testing showed about 17 hours from half a charge, with the reviewer pulling his watch off the charger at 54% and not getting down to 1% until after 5 p.m. the next day. The improvement comes from battery capacity increases of 9% in the 42mm model and 11% in the 46mm version, according to multiple reviews.

Engadget emphasized how this addresses a major obstacle to sleep tracking, noting that “it’s the first thing I sacrifice when faced with a dead watch.” All reviewers agreed that the battery gains represent the most practical upgrade for daily users.

Health features expand beyond Apple Watch Series 11

The new hypertension alerts feature garnered significant attention, though reviewers noted it’s not exclusive to Apple Watch Series 11. CNET said the feature works similarly to existing heart health alerts, running quietly in the background and requiring about 30 days of data before surfacing notifications. Importantly, Tom’s Guide clarified that this is not a blood pressure monitor but rather uses an algorithm and optical heart rate sensor to alert users to possible hypertension.

The Apple Watch’s new Sleep Score feature also received positive marks. Engadget praised Apple’s approach, noting “it makes it very easy to see at a glance what areas I should strive to improve,” with color-coded rings showing duration, bedtime consistency and interruptions. TechRadar called it “a long-awaited arrival that’s executed perfectly” and noted it retroactively scores past nights.

Both features will be available on older Apple Watch models through watchOS 26, which several reviewers noted reduces the exclusivity of Series 11’s health improvements.

Design stays familiar with durability improvements

Reviewers universally said Apple Watch Series 11’s design remains virtually identical to Series 10. TechRadar said “placing my 46mm Series 11 review device next to a Series 10 I see an identical rounded-square Apple Watch, aside from the updated paint job.” CNET’s reviewer admitted being “notorious for going hard on my electronics” but reported no scratches after six days, crediting the twice-as-scratch-resistant Ion-X glass.

The 9.7mm thickness carries over from the Series 10, with TechRadar noting “there were times when I forgot it was even there during my seven days of testing” due to the ultra-thin profile.

5G connectivity and watchOS 26 refinements

The addition of 5G support received positive mentions across reviews, though with less enthusiasm than the battery improvements. CNET explained the Series 11 uses “5G RedCap, or 5G Reduced Capacity” which is “more power-efficient at maintaining a connection than previous Apple Watches.”

watchOS 26’s Liquid Glass interface divided opinion slightly. Engadget noted “some people love the glassy translucence, others hate it because of its more organic (less contrasty) look.” The reviewer acknowledged that the glossy upgrade makes the Apple Watch “just a bit harder to read at a glance.”

Performance remains unchanged but adequate

All reviewers noted Series 11 uses the same S10 chip as Series 10, with no meaningful performance improvements. TechRadar listed “no major performance gains year over year” as a con, though the reviewer found apps opened quickly and ran smoothly.

Tom’s Guide noted the lack of meaningful AI upgrades to Siri as a missed opportunity, comparing it unfavorably to Samsung and Google’s more AI-capable smartwatches.

Apple Watch Series 11 reviews verdict: An incremental but meaningful upgrade can be skipped

Despite the lack of major design changes or performance improvements, reviewers generally recommended Apple Watch Series 11, particularly for users coming from older models. CNET concluded “the Series 11 is still my favorite of the bunch” while noting “the gap between it and the competition is narrowing.” TechRadar called it “the most capable and balanced Apple Watch yet.”

However, most reviewers agreed that Apple Watch Series 10 owners can skip this generation. TechRadar said “if you’re rocking a Series 10, you likely don’t need an upgrade unless you’re eager for better battery life.” Tom’s Guide said “those who already own the Series 9 or Series 10 might not find enough here to justify the switch.”

The $399 starting price remains unchanged from Series 10, which reviewers appreciated given current economic pressures. For first-time buyers or those with older Apple Watches, Series 11 represents a solid evolution of Apple’s smartwatch formula, even if it doesn’t break significant new ground.

Apple Watch 11 review videos

 

The Apple Watch 11 reviews roundup post first published on September 16, 2025. We updated it on September 17, 2025. 

The just-launched LaCie Rugged SSD4 from Seagate is for “creators working beyond the four walls of a studio.” It’s designed to stand up to punishment while offering terabytes of storage and USB4 data transfer speeds. That’s fast enough for iPhone Pro users to record ProRes 4K video.

I put the SSD through real-world testing. Here’s how it came out.

LaCie Rugged SSD4 review

One of the best ways to waste money is by refusing to use external SSDs. Insisting that all your computers have enough storage capacity for every file you might ever need is… it’s not smart.

The same goes for recording sessions. Shooting in Apple’s ProRes video format at 4K60 on an iPhone Pro or Pro Max can only be accomplished with a high-speed external SSD. As for other formats, recording terabytes of video to internal storage is unnecessary when high-capacity, high-speed SSDs are a better option.

The chief benefit of external drives is cost savings. A 2TB LaCie Rugged SSD4 costs $175, while upgrading an iPhone 17 Pro Max to 2TB of storage adds $800 to the price.

The drive, which Seagate launched Monday, comes in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities.

LaCie Rugged SSD4 (2TB)

5.0

$214.99

The LaCie Rugged SSD4 is a compact external solid-state drive (SSD) built for filmmakers, photographers, and audio professionals who need reliable high-performance data storage. The drive’s USB 40Gbps port allows users to quickly transfer files and work directly from the drive across Mac, iPad, PC, and mobile phones.

It comes in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities

Pros:

• Up to 4000MB/s read and 3800MB/s write speeds
• Portable and rugged but looks good

Buy from Seagate

Table of contents: LaCie Rugged SSD4 review

• A surprisingly stylish SSD
• Excellent real-world performance
• LaCie Rugged SSD4 review: Final thoughts
• Pricing

A surprisingly stylish SSD

An SSD is a tool, not a fashion accessory, but LaCie nevertheless made the Rugged SSD4 look stylish. As much as it can, anyway.

The chassis for the actual drive is brushed aluminum, with rounded edges and corners. The two end caps are white plastic that match the aluminum well enough.

To make the product rugged, LaCie includes an easily removable bumper case that wraps around the outside. The only color option is orange, but orange is popular right now — which is why you can get an iPhone 17 Pro that matches the Rugged SSD4. Neil Poulton’s design for the bumper case looks quite good, and the color makes the device easier to see when you take it on location.

The drive in its bumper case has an IP54 rating so it can withstand dust and splashing water. And it can survive 3-meter (9.8-foot) drops.

The central unit of the LaCie Rugged SSD4 is 3.6 inches by 2.3 inches by 0.5 inches. In the bumper case, it measures 4.1 inches by 2.7 by 0.7 inches. That’s easily portable in any gear gag. It’s even sort of pocket-size.

Don’t forget the cable. A color-matching one that measures 8.5 inches comes in the box. Of course, this supports USB4 data transfers, and it can handle up to 240W of power.

It’s worth noting that the product contains a minimum of 35% post-consumer recycled materials by weight.

Excellent real-world performance

Seagate says the LaCie Rugged SSD4 supports “USB 40Gbps” rather than calling it USB4, but that’s what it is. Whatever it’s called, the drive maker promises up to 4000 MBps read and up to 3800 MBps write speeds. But when it comes to the performance of drives I’ve tested, real-world performance never approaches theoretical maximums. This SSD is no different.

In my testing, the Rugged SSD4 performs at about half the theoretical top data speed, so somewhere below 2000 MBps. That’s really quite good, and it means that you can empty a 4TB drive in between maybe 5 minutes and 10 minutes.

The data transfer speed is more than what’s needed to record ProRes 4K at 120fps.

Because the drive uses USB-C, it can connect to a wide variety of computers, which includes Mac, iPad and iPhone. Because it supports USB4 plus earlier USB standards as well as Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3, data transfers take place at the best speed offered by the host device.

And that’s important: performance depends on the device you connect it to. For example, the USB-C port in the base model iPhone 16 supports USB 2.0, so data transfers top at 60 MBps.

LaCie Rugged SSD4 review: Final thoughts

It wasn’t that long ago that high-capacity external SSDs were bulky and slow. Easily portable ones didn’t have enough capacity to be useful. Thankfully, those days are over. The LaCie Rugged SSD4 is small enough that you can attach it to the back of your iPhone, it’s blazing fast and holds plenty of data.

★★★★★

Pricing

The LaCie Rugged SSD4 is now available for $134.99 (1TB), $249.99 (2TB) and $479.99 (4TB).

Buy it from: Seagate

LaCie Rugged SSD4 (2TB)

5.0

$214.99

The LaCie Rugged SSD4 is a compact external solid-state drive (SSD) built for filmmakers, photographers, and audio professionals who need reliable high-performance data storage. The drive’s USB 40Gbps port allows users to quickly transfer files and work directly from the drive across Mac, iPad, PC, and mobile phones.

It comes in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities

Pros:

• Up to 4000MB/s read and 3800MB/s write speeds
• Portable and rugged but looks good

Buy from Seagate

Seagate provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

Early reviews of AirPods Pro 3 are out, and wow, are they positive. Engadget calls Apple’s latest a “comprehensive update to its best set of earbuds.” Cnet‘s headline perhaps said it best: “Big improvements, same price, no compromises.”

After poring over AirPods Pro 3 reviews from a wide variety of sources, it’s hard to find a negative comment anywhere.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

AirPods Pro 3 reviews: Making the best even better

Apple introduced AirPods Pro 3 at its Awe Dropping event last week, bringing a range of cutting-edge features to its top-of-the-line earbuds. In addition to improving noise cancellation, fit, audio quality and battery life, the latest version adds heart rate monitoring and live translation.

Frankly, reviewers gushed about all of these new AirPods Pro 3 features.

Improved active noise cancellation

Apple says AirPods Pro 3 offer the “best noise cancellation of any in-ear wireless headphones.” Reviewers heard real-world improvement.

“I can tell you the ANC performance on this new model was noticeably stronger than before,” said Engadget’s reviewer.

In an in-flight comparison of AirPods Pro 2 versus the new model, The Verge reviewer said, “Both pairs of buds performed well, but the third-gen were noticeably better. The dull hum of the plane was completely eliminated, though I could still hear announcements if I didn’t have audio playing.”

The fit

Apple didn’t rest on its laurels when it comes to the design of AirPods Pro 3. It keeps working to make each successive generation fit better. In addition to changing the angle between the earbud and its stem, Apple changed the material the soft tips are made of.

“The buds felt noticeably different in my ears than the AirPods Pro 2 — snugger and more secure,” said a reviewer for Cnet.

The Verge said, “The new buds and tips are more angled, so they slot more naturally into your ear canal.”

Engadget said, “The new tips feel very different and seal off your ear canal in a more complete way than the Pro 2’s silicone-only tips.”

Enhanced audio quality

AirPods Pro 3 offer improved audio because of course they do. Every new AirPods generation does.

“With the AirPods Pro 3, all of Apple’s proclamations not only hold true but are obvious, observable improvements,” said Engadget’s reviewer.

“Put simply, you can hear more of everything,” said a review in PCMag.

Battery life

Even the best earbuds are useless once the battery runs out. Apple promises eight hours of battery life with active noise cancellation. But in their hurry to get out early reviews, many reviewers didn’t have time to test it.

Still, The Verge came through. “My usage roughly tracks with Apple’s eight-hour estimate for ANC listening time on a single charge.”

AirPods Pro 3 reviews: Heart-rate monitoring is solid

A major new feature of AirPods Pro 3 is heart-rate monitoring.

“Apple has managed to do something that really nobody else has: Produce a pretty solid heart rate sensing device in your ears. It’s not absolutely perfect, but it’s really strong,” said an exercise-focused review from DC Rainmaker.

Live translation

AirPods Pro 3 work with Apple Intelligence to deliver real-time conversation translation directly through the earbuds.

The PCMag reviewer wrote, “I tested the feature by having a conversation with a Spanish-speaking relative. It worked fairly well. I’m sure everyone’s mileage will vary here, but it’s a compelling new feature, particularly for those who travel.”

After their own tests with a subtitled movie, The Verge reviewer wrote, “The translation feature performed admirably, but struggled to recognize character names or account for abrupt pauses in dialogue.”

Video reviews

AirPods Pro 3 reviews: Final thoughts

When summing up, PCMag’s reviewer said, “The AirPods Pro 3 represent a significant step forward for Apple’s wireless earbuds, setting a new benchmark for performance, features, and design.”

The Verge called Apple’s new earbuds a “no-brainer upgrade,” and said, “Everything you liked about the AirPods Pro just got better — and so did everything you didn’t.”

And Cnet’s reviewer wrote, “All the key elements such as fit, sound quality and noise cancellation have been noticeably leveled up along with single-charge battery.“

Order AirPods Pro 3 now

The third generation of AirPods Pro can be preordered now, with in-store availability and deliveries beginning on September 19.

Despite all the improvements (and inflation), they sell for the same $249 price as their previous generation.

Buy AirPods Pro 3 from: Amazon or Apple