MacRumors
Buyer's Guide
This page provides a product summary for each Apple model. The intent is to provide our best recommendations regarding current product cycles, and to provide a summary of currently available rumors for each model.
This page is based on rumors and speculation and we provide no guarantee to its accuracy.
In-Depth Guides
- Should you Buy an Intel Mac or Wait for Arm?
- MacBook Air i3 vs i5
- 2018 vs 2020 iPad Pro
- iPhone Buyer's Guide (2020)
- Best iMac to Buy (2020)
- Best iPad to Buy (2020)
- Best Apple Watch to Buy (2020)
- Best AirPods Deals
- Best HomePod Deals
- Best Apple TV 4K Deals
- Best MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Deals
- Best iMac Deals
- Best iPad Deals
- Best iPhone Deals
iPad
Buy Now
Just Updated
- The "iPad" is Apple's low-priced mainstream iPad, last updated in September 2020 with faster A12 Bionic chip.
iPad Roundup
Recent Rumors
iPhone SE
Neutral
Mid-product Cycle
- The original iPhone SE was a budget 4-inch iPhone before being discontinued in 2018, but Apple revived the name in April 2020 with a new 4.7-inch model that looks like an iPhone 8 with internals similar to those of the iPhone 11. It features an A13 Bionic chip, 3GB RAM, and a low starting price of $399. Comes in white, black, and red, and comes with 64, 128, or 256GB of storage.
iPhone SE Roundup
Recent Rumors
11" iPad Pro
Neutral
Mid-product Cycle
- The 11-inch iPad Pro was updated in March 2020 with a faster A12Z Bionic chip, a new 10MP Ultra Wide camera to complement the traditional 12MP camera, a LiDAR depth scanner for improved augmented reality experiences, and more. There's also a new Magic Keyboard with Trackpad coming in May, and the new iPad Pro models continue to work with the Apple Pencil 2.
11" iPad Pro Roundup
Recent Rumors
12.9" iPad Pro
Neutral
Mid-product Cycle
- The 12.9-inch iPad Pro was updated in March 2020 with a faster A12Z Bionic chip, a new 10MP Ultra Wide camera to complement the traditional 12MP camera, a LiDAR depth scanner for improved augmented reality experiences, and more. There's also a new Magic Keyboard with Trackpad coming in May, and the new iPad Pro models continue to work with the Apple Pencil 2.
12.9" iPad Pro Roundup
Recent Rumors
iPhone 11
Don't Buy
Updates Soon
- The iPhone 11 will be replaced soon, so we don't recommend buying one at this time.
- Apple unveiled the iPhone 11 on September 10, 2019, with new colors, a dual-lens camera, improved durability, and a faster A13 chip. Pricing starts at $699, and iPhone 11 is sold alongside iPhone 11 Pro ($999) and iPhone 11 Pro Max ($1099).
iPhone 11 Roundup
Recent Rumors
iPhone 11 Pro
Don't Buy
Updates Soon
- The iPhone 11 Pro will be replaced soon, so we don't recommend buying one at this time.
- Apple in September 2019 unveiled the new iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max with triple-lens cameras, A13 chips, faster Face ID, Night Mode, shatter resistant glass, improved water resistance and more. iPhone 11 Pro starts at $999, iPhone 11 Pro Max starts at $1099.
iPhone 11 Pro Roundup
Recent Rumors
iPad Mini
Caution
Approaching End of Cycle
- Fifth-generation iPad mini with A12 Bionic chip, Apple Pencil support, and upgraded display and cameras announced March 18, 2019.
iPad Mini Roundup
Recent Rumors
iPad Air
Don't Buy
October Update
- Apple in September 2020 unveiled a redesigned iPad Air with an edge-to-edge 10.9-inch display, Touch ID power button, a brand-new A14 Bionic chip, new color options, and more. It will launch sometime in October.
iPad Air Roundup
Recent Rumors
iMac
Caution
Only 27" Model Is New
- Apple's iMac is an ultra-thin all-in-one desktop computer, available in 21.5- and 27-inch sizes with an array of build-to-order upgrades. The 27-inch model was updated with new 10th-generation Intel processors, a True Tone display, a $500 nano-texture glass option, and more on August 4, 2020. The 21.5-inch model switched from a 1 TB hard drive to a 256 GB SSD as the base storage option the same day, but was otherwise last updated in March 2019.
iMac Roundup
Recent Rumors
13" MacBook Pro
Neutral
Mid-product Cycle
- Updated 13" MacBook Pro released in May 2020 with Magic Keyboard, more standard internal storage, and more. Higher-end models are equipped with Intel's latest 10th-generation processors and up to 32GB of RAM, while lower-end models continue to use 8th-generation chips and are limited to 16GB of RAM.
13" MacBook Pro Roundup
Recent Rumors
Mac Mini
Buy Now
Storage Bump Only
- The Mac mini received a minor update in March 2020, doubling the amount of storage on each of the two standard configurations, which essentially amounts to a $200 price cut. The Mac mini is otherwise unchanged compared to the models released in October 2018, featuring 4- and 6-core 8th-Generation Intel Core processors, four Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, support for up to 64GB RAM, and all SSD configurations with up to 2TB of storage available. It also includes Apple's T2 chip for added security.
Mac Mini Roundup
Recent Rumors
MacBook Air
Neutral
Mid-product Cycle
- Apple in March 2020 updated the MacBook Air with more internal storage, 10th-generation Intel processors, and most importantly, a more reliable scissor-switch keyboard. It also received a $100 price cut to start at $999, and it continues to feature a Retina display, slim bezels, Touch ID, up to 16GB RAM, and up to a 2TB SSD.
MacBook Air Roundup
Recent Rumors
Mac Pro
Neutral
Mid-product Cycle
- Apple released its new high-end, high-throughput Mac Pro on December 10. It starts at $5,999, so this machine is only for the most serious professional users.
Mac Pro Roundup
Recent Rumors
16" MacBook Pro
Don't Buy
Updates Soon
- The 16" MacBook Pro debuted in November 2019 with a slightly larger screen than its 15" predecessor, an improved scissor-switch Magic Keyboard, 9th-generation Intel processors, and a new physical Escape key alongside the Touch Bar. A new high-end graphics option was added in June 2020.
16" MacBook Pro Roundup
Recent Rumors
iMac Pro
Don't Buy
27" iMac Offers Better Value
- Announced at the 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference, the iMac Pro is a top-of-the-line iMac with Xeon processors, Radeon Pro Vega graphics, Thunderbolt 3, and a unique Space Gray body. New 256GB RAM and Radeon Pro Vega 64X upgrade options added in March 2019, and in August 2020 the base configuration was bumped to the 10-core processor. A high-end 27-inch iMac with some spec upgrades is, however, actually a better buy than an iMac Pro, surpassing the aging iMac Pro in both CPU and graphics performance at a lower price point.
iMac Pro Roundup
Recent Rumors
Apple Watch
Buy Now
Just Updated
- The Apple Watch Series 6 features a faster S6 chip and blood oxygen level tracking.
Apple Watch Roundup
Recent Rumors
Apple Watch SE
Buy Now
Just Updated
- Sold alongside the Series 6, the Apple Watch SE is Apple's lower-cost Apple Watch option with many Series 6 features except a blood oxygen sensor and ECG.
Apple Watch SE Roundup
Recent Rumors
AirPods Pro
Neutral
Mid-product Cycle
- Apple has announced updated AirPods Pro earphones featuring noise canceling technology, a new design, improved water resistance, and a $249 price tag.
AirPods Pro Roundup
Recent Rumors
iPod Touch
Don't Buy
Updates Soon
- The iPod touch is Apple's only iPod running iOS, offering access to the App Store and the same 4-inch Retina display found on the company's iPhone 5 and 5s. The iPod touch was updated on May 28, 2019, with an A10 Fusion chip and storage options up to 256 GB.
iPod Touch Roundup
Recent Rumors
AirPods
Caution
Approaching End of Cycle
AirPods 2 were released in March 2019 and are wireless, entirely cord-free earbuds. Apple has since expanded the product line with AirPods Pro.
AirPods Roundup
Recent Rumors
HomePod
Caution
Cheaper Model Rumored
- HomePod is Apple's answer to the Amazon Echo, but with more of a focus on music and sound quality. HomePod includes impressive sound and also supports Siri commands. Launched February 9, 2018.
HomePod Roundup
Recent Rumors
Apple TV
Don't Buy
Updates Soon
- Apple's fifth-generation Apple TV features an A10X Fusion processor and 32 to 64GB of storage, along with support for 4K HDR for the first time.
Apple TV Roundup
