Apple enthusiasts, get ready for a whirlwind of updates! From amazing deals on the iPad mini to new emojis and some design critiques, there's a lot happening in the world of Apple. Let's dive in!
iPad Mini Hits All-Time Low Price
Looking for a powerful tablet in a compact package? The A17 Pro iPad mini is back down to its all-time best price on Amazon! You can snag this amazing device for just $399, a cool $100 off the regular price of $499. This deal is too good to pass up.
The latest iPad Mini features the blazing-fast A17 Pro chip, which means it's ready for Apple Intelligence. The stunning 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display delivers incredible visuals with vibrant colors and deep contrast. And the best part? The base model now comes with a generous 128GB of storage, double what the previous version offered. Need even more reason to buy? The Apple Pencil Pro is also on sale for $99, adding enhanced writing and drawing capabilities.
"It's a great upgrade for older tablets and maintains its position as the absolute best small tablet you can buy," says Macworld in their 4-star review.
iOS 18.4 Brings the Emoji Heat
Even though the new Apple Intelligence-powered Siri is delayed until iOS 18.5, there's still a great reason to update to iOS 18.4: new emojis! Get ready to express yourself with seven fresh faces and symbols.
The second iOS 18.4 beta revealed the following new emoji:
- Face with bags under eyes
- Fingerprint
- Leafless tree
- Root vegetable (like a beet)
- Harp
- Shovel
- Splatter
These additions, part of Unicode 16, will be available across iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS 15.4. Keep an eye out for this update, expected in mid- to late March! And don't forget, more emojis are on the way in iOS 19, including a distorted face, cartoon fight cloud, and even Big Foot!
iPhone 16e's USB-C Port: A Design Flaw?
Not all news is good news. The new iPhone 16e is facing criticism for its USB-C port design. While iFixit gave it a provisional 7/10 repairability rating, they called the USB-C port design "terrible."
Based on the iPhone 14 architecture, the 16e boasts a state-of-the-art A18 processor and Apple's in-house C1 modem. However, the USB-C port requires extensive disassembly for repair. Technicians must remove components like the IR camera, selfie camera, logic board, and even the SIM card holder just to access the port.
"As I'm removing the Taptic Engine and the SIM card space holder," explains the iFixit presenter, "I realise that the USB-C port removal process that saw a significant simplification in the 16 Pro and Pro Max has regressed in the iPhone 16e."
This is a significant concern, as the USB-C port is a common point of failure. Despite other improvements, this design flaw mars an otherwise positive experience.
Which iPhone Camera Reigns Supreme?
Every year, Apple delivers top-notch smartphone cameras. But which iPhone truly has the best camera? While the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max pack the most advanced technology, other models still offer excellent performance.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max feature a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultra wide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera with up to 5x optical zoom. Exclusive features like Night Mode Portraits and 48MP macro photography set them apart.
Other models, like the iPhone 16 and 16e, offer impressive capabilities, including the new Camera Control button and Photographic Styles. Ultimately, the best iPhone camera depends on your budget and needs. If you want the absolute best, go for the Pro models. But don't count out the others!
Stay tuned for more Apple news and updates!