Before you buy

Buying Guides

Which Apple product to buy, compared from Apple's own specifications, and what reviewers found when they tested the new ones.

HomeView's display tilts on a stainless steel hinge above the speaker base. Reviewers confirmed the tilt is manual only. Image: Apple Newsroom.

Home & TV15 Oct

What reviewers found in their Apple HomeView hands-ons: loud and simple, with face recognition still untested

Seven outlets handled HomeView at Apple's launch. They liked the sound and the size, but none could test face recognition or Siri AI properly.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art comparing the first Apple Watch Ultra with Apple Watch Ultra 4

Apple Watch & AirPods13 Oct

Apple Watch Ultra 1 or Ultra 4: what four years of upgrades buy, and why watchOS 27 decides it

From Apple's own pages: Ultra 4 adds 14 hours of battery, satellite messaging and watchOS 27, which the original Ultra cannot run. 799 dollars in the US.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art for AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3

Apple Watch & AirPods11 Oct

AirPods 5 or AirPods Pro 3: what the extra 100 dollars buys, and which AirPods 5 case to pick

AirPods 5 against AirPods Pro 3, from Apple's spec sheets: three times the noise cancellation, double the battery and health features for 100 dollars more.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art comparing iPhone Duo and Pixel 11 Pro Fold

iPhone10 Oct

iPhone Duo or Pixel 11 Pro Fold: the price gap, the missing telephoto and two very different shapes

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold costs $100 to $350 less than iPhone Duo and has a 5x telephoto. The Duo is shorter, wider and offers a 2TB model. How they compare.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art for the Matchbox The Movie review round-up

Apps & Services9 Oct

What reviewers found in Matchbox The Movie: the stunts work, and the toy tie-in sinks John Cena's Apple TV film

Six reviews of Matchbox The Movie, now on Apple TV, agree the car chases work and the script does not. They split on John Cena and on the jokes.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art for the Apple Watch Series 12 review round-up

Apple Watch & AirPods7 Oct

What reviewers found in the Apple Watch Series 12: accurate heart rate, a slow Readiness score and a one-day battery

Six reviews of the Apple Watch Series 12 agree its heart rate sensor is accurate and its battery unchanged. They split on charging speed and on upgrading.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art for the Small Prophets review round-up

Apps & Services7 Oct

What reviewers found in Small Prophets: Mackenzie Crook's comedy reaches Apple TV with near-unanimous praise

Small Prophets is now on Apple TV outside the UK. Four reviews from three countries agree on Pearce Quigley and the tone, and differ on what kind of show it is.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art for AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2

Apple Watch & AirPods6 Oct

AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Pro 2: what the upgrade gets you, and what you give up

AirPods Pro 3 against AirPods Pro 2, from Apple's own spec sheets: longer earbud battery, heart rate and IP57, but a smaller case total and no cable.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro upgrade guide

iPhone5 Oct

iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro: what five years of upgrades get you, and when keeping the old one makes sense

The iPhone 13 Pro still runs iOS 27 but gets none of Apple Intelligence. What the iPhone 18 Pro adds on Apple's own spec pages, and who should wait.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art for a round-up of M5 Pro Mac mini reviews

Mac5 Oct

What reviewers found in the M5 Pro Mac mini: more cores and Thunderbolt 5, and an M6 that beats it at AI

Three reviews of the M5 Pro Mac mini agree it is fast and that $1,699 is a lot. AppleInsider found the cheaper M6 model quicker at on-device AI.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art comparing three folding phones

iPhone4 Oct

iPhone Duo or Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra: the weight, the cameras and the $100 either side

iPhone Duo sits between Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra on price, and outweighs both. A spec-by-spec comparison and our verdict on who should buy which.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art: a timeline motif on an ink background

Apple Watch & AirPods3 Oct

Apple Watch Series 12 or keep your Series 9, 10 or 11: what each upgrade actually gets you

Apple's compare page shows Series 12 adds little over Series 11, more over Series 10, and the most over Series 9. What each step buys, and what it loses.

Pinkesh Gajera

Abstract cover art: a frames motif on a warm background

iPhone3 Oct

iPhone Duo against the iPhone 18 Pro Max: the size, weight and price, and what Apple Upgrade leasing changes

Closed, iPhone Duo is shorter, wider and thicker than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and five grams heavier. Apple's prices, sizes and lease terms, side by side.

Pinkesh Gajera

Buying GuidesBuying Guides

What reviewers found in their Apple HomeView hands-ons: loud and simple, with face recognition still untested

Apple Watch Ultra 1 or Ultra 4: what four years of upgrades buy, and why watchOS 27 decides it

AirPods 5 or AirPods Pro 3: what the extra 100 dollars buys, and which AirPods 5 case to pick

iPhone Duo or Pixel 11 Pro Fold: the price gap, the missing telephoto and two very different shapes

What reviewers found in Matchbox The Movie: the stunts work, and the toy tie-in sinks John Cena's Apple TV film

What reviewers found in the Apple Watch Series 12: accurate heart rate, a slow Readiness score and a one-day battery

What reviewers found in Small Prophets: Mackenzie Crook's comedy reaches Apple TV with near-unanimous praise

AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Pro 2: what the upgrade gets you, and what you give up

iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro: what five years of upgrades get you, and when keeping the old one makes sense

What reviewers found in the M5 Pro Mac mini: more cores and Thunderbolt 5, and an M6 that beats it at AI

iPhone Duo or Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra: the weight, the cameras and the $100 either side

Apple Watch Series 12 or keep your Series 9, 10 or 11: what each upgrade actually gets you

iPhone Duo against the iPhone 18 Pro Max: the size, weight and price, and what Apple Upgrade leasing changes

Buying Guides