Whether you're picking up an iPhone, iPad or some other Apple device, you'll know that official repairs can get very expensive. Heck, a simple screen repair on the iPhone 18 Pro Max is going to cost $379, which is almost a third of the cost of the phone itself. AppleCare+ makes those fees a little more palatable, so long as you're willing to subscribe and pay a monthly fee.

The problem is that paying for AppleCare on multiple devices can get pretty expensive, especially if you're part of a whole family of Apple users. AppleCare One already offers the chance to cover up to three devices on a single plan, and now AppleCare One Family offers that same coverage for up to six people — for $50 a month.

What devices you can add

There are surprisingly few limits on the number of devices you can add to this plan. All devices that are covered by AppleCare will be automatically added to the Family plan when you sign up, as will any devices purchased within the previous 60 days.

However, devices that are over four years old, or AirPods and Beats that are over a year old, will need to undergo a device check to ensure they're in good condition. This can be done remotely, or by visiting your nearest Apple Store. Apple has also made it clear that you can't add more than six Vision Pro headsets to the plan — not that anyone would.

The usual AppleCare+ service fees still apply. Battery servicing is totally free under the plan, while repairs to the screen and back glass are $29. Other accidental damage is $99, while theft or loss claims come with a $149 deductible. You're also limited to six loss and theft claims over the course of a year.

Devices will remain covered so long as you keep your AppleCare One Family Plan active, and provided they connect to an Apple server at least once every 12 months. However, Apple does note that devices can be removed from the plan if it runs out of the necessary parts to service and make repairs.

Coverage is also dependent on the devices being signed into a family member's Apple Account. If they sign out, and a non-family member later signs in, coverage will end.

How to set up AppleCare One Family

AppleCare One Family is currently only available in the United States, and the setup process can be initiated by any adult member of a Family Sharing Group. Payments are automatically made by the family organizer, regardless of which adult actually signs up. However, the person who initiated the subscription can choose their own payment method if they prefer. Other family members will be restricted from signing up for a different AppleCare plan unless they leave the family group.

If you're part of a family or friendship group that's big on using Apple products, signing up for an AppleCare One Family plan feels like a no-brainer. A simple AppleCare One plan costs $20 a month, and coverage for up to three devices is included in the cost plus $6 a month for each additional product.

The Family plan with a full six people means that you're paying $8.33 per person, and without any major device limitations. All you have to do is make sure the participants actually pay you their dues, which should be a lot easier considering sharing money is now as easy as bumping phones together.

More from Tom's Guide

• Your phone may run iOS 27, but only these devices support the new Siri AI
• Why your iPhone says 'Optimizing Search and Siri' in iOS 27 — and how to speed it up
• I’ve used macOS Golden Gate for 3 months — and here’s what I think

iPadOS 27 is here for the best iPads that support it! Like iOS 27 and macOS 27, iPadOS 27 focuses on overall system refinements and deeper AI integration. That last bit is especially noteworthy, as there’s now a dedicated Siri AI app that functions like a standard chatbot. Beyond answering questions, Siri AI can also take actions on your behalf since it’s integrated into the operating system and works with Apple’s applications.

I’ve been using iPadOS 27 since the beta launched over the summer, and have generally had a smooth experience with the latest OS update. Though I’m not a big AI user, the updated Siri can be handy — especially as it can do things on your behalf. And if you have kids, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the new child safety features.

iPadOS 27 isn’t a game-changer, but features like the overhauled Siri AI, the Liquid-Glass slider, and other quality-of-life improvements make using Apple’s tablets feel smoother and more personalized. Here is my full review of iPadOS 27.

iPadOS 27 review: Compatible iPads

Here are all the iPads that support iPadOS 27.

• iPad Pro (M4 and later)
• iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad (9th generation and later)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad mini (6th generation)

iPadOS 27 review: Biggest features

The new Siri

Apple Intelligence is finally ready for prime time on the company’s devices. Thanks to the new Siri AI app, you can now interact with Apple’s virtual assistant the same way you would with a chatbot like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Apple Intelligence runs on both servers and your device to offer better image understanding and more.

There is now a dedicated Siri AI app, which looks and functions like a regular chatbot app. In this window, you can ask Siri questions or have it perform tasks for you. For example, I used Siri to send a message to one of my iMessage group chats, and it did so after I approved it. Sure, I could have just done this directly in the group chat, but it’s a good demonstration of what the new Siri can do.

Siri AI also understands what's on your screen. When I had the Tom’s Guide homepage open on Google Chrome, it correctly detailed what was on the screen, including all the articles. It couldn’t open the articles or read them aloud (despite saying it could), but since I’m testing a beta version, I’ll give it an A for effort, even if it failed to complete the task.

Siri is most useful when you’re using Apple’s own apps and programs. It can create calendar events, set reminders, play music, and more. For example, when you’re looking at a schedule, you’ll see an “add to calendar” button pop up. When you right-click certain folders, files, or apps, you’ll see an “Ask Siri” option at the bottom. Selecting this will open a window where you can start texting or talking with Siri.

Though Siri can’t yet interact with many third-party applications (such as those from Google), it’s a huge improvement over the old Siri.

Liquid Glass improvements

Liquid Glass hasn’t gone anywhere, as Apple is leaning more into the UI with its latest operating system updates. However, Apple is now giving you more control over how it looks with a new slider that adjusts opacity. You can’t eliminate the Liquid Glass look, but you can minimize it significantly.

Other improvements include more diffuse, complex background visuals, so text stands out more. You’ll also notice that the edges of icons are more pronounced to help further separate them from the background. The uniform corner radius of all app windows also helps them stand out more.

Even if Liquid Glass hasn’t gone anywhere, even detractors should find the updates tolerable since they do greatly improve overall readability and visibility. The Liquid Glass slider is a nice touch.

I've never had a problem with Liquid Glass because I think it’s an interesting visual effect. That said, I’m glad that folks can now fine-tune it to their liking. The slider is especially neat because it’s easy to use and clearly shows how much of a difference there is when you go from one extreme to the other.

Child safety features

If you’re a parent, you’ll be happy to know that Apple is expanding its parental control features with iPadOS 27. This way, you can let the kiddo use Apple’s tablet without worrying too much about the kind of content they’re watching and for how long they’re using the slate.

These updates include a redesigned, more intuitive Screen Time Dashboard with one-tap controls and expanded safeguards. There are also Time Allowances for app categories, Ask to Browse website approval, Communication Safety that blurs gore or violence, and one-tap access management. You can tailor these features to suit your child.

I don’t have kids, but I did find the child safety features simple enough to use and customize. Given how much kids love iPads, it’s smart for Apple to keep refining these safety features.

iPadOS 27 review: Other features

• Spatial Reframing: As the name suggests, you can now reframe a photo after it’s been taken thanks to this feature. You can also expand your shots with the Extend Tool and remove objects with the Clean Up tool.
• Upgraded Image Playground: Image Playground can now generate higher-quality images. You can also modify and transform existing images by describing what you want.
• Siri in Notes: Siri AI can assist with your handwritten or typed notes in the Notes app by (for example) organizing bullet points into a formatted agenda or turning handwritten lectures into a detailed study guide.
• Safari updates: In Safari, tabs can now be automatically grouped by topic, making related pages easier to find. With Safari Notify Me, you can receive an alert if there’s a price change or a restock for an item you’ve been eyeing.
• Describe Shortcuts: Instead of manually building complex workflows, you can now describe what you need, and Shortcuts connects actions across multiple apps to make it happen. This is useful if you want to set specific routines, such as launching a specific app when you connect a peripheral.

iPadOS 27 review: Verdict

I use an iPad Pro every single day and have largely been pleased with iPadOS 27. Again, it won’t set the world on fire with revolutionary new features, but the upgraded Siri AI and deeper Apple Intelligence integrations help make iPads that support the update more useful. This is especially true if you use Apple’s own apps often.

As I said in my macOS Golden Gate review, iPadOS 27 feels like a holding-pattern update for whatever big OS refresh the folks in Cupertino are cooking. But there’s also nothing wrong with not fixing what isn’t broken, so it’s fine that this isn’t a huge update. If you own a compatible iPad, you should update as soon as you can to test the new features yourself!

Apple's big week of operating system updates is finally here with the new iPadOS 27. This year's update isn't groundbreaking; instead, it focuses on Apple Intelligence, which should make for a more personal, customized experience.

As with iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate, the main attraction is the reinvented Siri, which finally lives up to its potential. Siri AI, as it’s now called, is context-aware and understands what’s on your screen. Because it’s built into the OS, it can directly control and manage apps. It also adds new child safety features, improved readability for Liquid Glass, new photo-editing tools, and more.

Here’s how to download iPadOS 27.

How to download iPadOS 27

As always, before you install a major update like iPadOS 27, back up your iPad in case anything goes wrong and you need to return to iPadOS 26.

Not every iPad will be compatible with the new operating system, but if your tablet is, the upgrade is free.

Here is the full list of iPads that are compatible with iPadOS 27:

• iPad Pro (M4 and later)
• iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad (9th generation and later)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad mini (6th generation)

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Apple's major "Surprise and Shine" event is behind us and the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable, is finally official. But there were some omissions based on the rumors, including a lack of smart home devices.

Those devices could still be on the way. Apple typically announces new MacBooks in October, and we could see some other products then as well. Here are the seven new Apple products that we could see next month.

Touchscreen MacBook Ultra with OLED

Apple has already released a surprising number of Mac laptops and desktops this year. We had the MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air, and M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros way back in the spring, plus late refreshes of the Mac mini and Mac Studio.

Next month we're expecting an M6 version of the iMac, which also might get some new colorways, and an M6 MacBook Pro.

But the headliner should be a new MacBook Pro (or Ultra). The big change here should be a new OLED touchscreen display, which would make it the first OLED MacBook.

OLED panels are thinner, so the Ultra should be both slimmer and lighter in both 14- and 16-inch versions. It could be powered by the as-yet-unannounced M6 Pro and M6 Max chipsets. This does mean that we might not see the Ultra until early 2027, as Apple has pushed announcing those chips into the first half of the year.

Unfortunately, all these new features and higher-tier silicon mean that the Ultra could have a starting price around $2,499 for the 14-inch model, up from $2,199 for the current M5 Pro models.

iPad mini with OLED

The iPad Pro has had an OLED display since 2024, but we could finally see an iPad mini with OLED this October. Coincidentally, the mini hasn't received an update since October 2024, when the iPad mini 7 was released.

It will likely get a faster chip, probably the A19, if not the new A20, so it can run Apple Intelligence, especially the new Siri AI. It's not clear from rumors if any other design changes will be made. However, it might be thinner and lighter since the OLED panel is thinner.

We should also see an updated entry-level iPad. As far as we're aware the only update here would be new chips.

Smart Home Devices

We warned before the iPhone event that rumors about Apple's smart home options need to be taken with a grain of salt. For years, leaks and rumor mongers have suggested that Apple is planning to introduce a suite of smart home devices, including a revamped HomePod and an AI-powered Apple TV 4K set-top box.

Rumors suggested that Apple would announce these devices during the iPhone event, which obviously did not come to fruition.

Apple seems to have finally figured out Siri AI with iOS 27. If it releases and works as pitched, we could finally start seeing Apple Home.

HomePod Home hub

Previously, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, long a reporter of the rumored HomePod updates, believed that a new HomePod mini could launch with the iPhones alongside the rumored HomePod Home hub.

However, right before the iPhone event, Gurman cheekily tweeted, "If you don't see the Apple TV, HomePod mini, home display and touch MacBook today, don't worry. It's only September."

Several different iterations of this device have been rumored, including one with a $1,000 robot arm. The most common version involves a wall-mounted touchpad or a HomePod speaker with a touch display about the size of an iPad mini.

This device would have a FaceTime camera for video calls and presence sensors to initiate smart home routines.

HomePod mini 2

A new HomePod mini might also debut, but it might not be as big of an upgrade as the Hub. Most rumors suggest that it will feature a new chip and audio improvements. It will probably get new colors.

The HomePod mini 2 has been on our rumor radar since at least 2023. The current version debuted in 2020, and like the next device, is long overdue for an update.

Apple TV 4K 2026

Like the HomePod series, Apple hasn't released a new version of the Apple TV 4K since 2022. We're long overdue for an upgrade — even if it's only a more powerful chip for stronger performance.

Previously, it was suggested that a new Apple TV could feature the A17 Pro chip, but it's more likely it'll get the new A20 or, to save some money, last year's A19. The device should also get the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Outside of chips, the big upgrade would be Siri AI, which could let you connect the Apple TV as a hub for smart devices. One rumor suggested that Apple might release a set-top box with a camera, which would allow for FaceTime calls and gesture-based controls.

However, a rumored refresh of the Apple TV has been making the rounds for multiple years now. I won't believe this one until it actually happens.

More from Tom's Guide

• I interviewed Apple CEO John Ternus on the making of the iPhone Duo — here's what made him say 'yes, that's it'
• People are freaking out about the new 'always-listening' Apple Watches — here's what Apple CEO John Ternus told us
• Apple Event recap — Hands-on with the iPhone Duo and all the big announcements

If you’re reading this, then you’re considering whether it’s beneficial to get your kid a tablet for schoolwork. That’s reasonable. The best tablets are lighter than most laptops, can cost less than many Chromebooks, and students already know how to use them. The appeal is pretty evident.

That said, a tablet isn’t just a small computer. It’s a distinct device with its own strengths and limitations for schoolwork. If you’re deciding whether a tablet makes sense for your child this year, you need a clear picture of both sides before you hit buy.

I’ve reviewed dozens of tablets over the years and have spent a lot of time testing whether certain models (like the iPad Pro) can realistically replace a laptop. The answers aren’t always cut and dry, but I have a solid sense of when a tablet works for schoolwork and when it falls short.

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using a tablet for school to help you make the right call.

Tablets for school: The pros

A tablet’s form factor is hard to beat. Most students can toss an iPad or mid-range Android tablet into a backpack without thinking twice because they’re so thin and light. Better options last a full school day on a charge, and they’re ready the second you take them out of rest mode or open the case. That lower friction is especially helpful for younger students.

Tablets are also strong for more visual, interactive schoolwork. Reading digital textbooks, annotating PDFs with a stylus, watching short instructional videos, and using educational apps all feel natural on a tablet. Many schools already deliver content through Google Classroom or similar platforms that work cleanly with tablets. If your kid needs to sketch, snap photos of notes, or complete interactive worksheets, a tablet with a decent stylus can feel more intuitive than a traditional laptop.

Cost is another factor. A solid mid-range tablet paired with a keyboard case can sometimes be cheaper than a budget laptop, and there’s generally less to break or keep updated. For a student who mainly needs a device for reading, research, light writing, and school apps, a tablet can cover a lot of ground without the extra complexity of a full computer.

If you've already decided to get a tablet for back-to-school, here are some options I recommend.

Tablets for school: The cons

While tablets can work well for school, they come with some serious drawbacks.

Serious tasks like writing longer papers, building spreadsheets, coding, or juggling multiple apps are still noticeably harder on a tablet than on a laptop. Even with a keyboard attached, multitasking and file management often feel limited. If your child’s schoolwork involves a lot of writing or switching between documents, a tablet can slow them down.

You’ll also need to account for the cost of peripherals if you want real school use out of the tablet. Something like Apple’s Magic Keyboard makes typing far more comfortable than the on-screen keyboard, and keeps an iPad protected from accidental drops. A stylus isn’t always essential, but it can be if your child takes notes by hand or does any drawing. The cost of these peripherals can erase the tablet’s initial price advantage.

Not every school’s software or testing platform plays nicely with tablets, either. Some require specific browsers or extensions that work more reliably on a laptop. If your kid’s school leans heavily on certain tools, a tablet can create more headaches than it solves.

Finally, distraction is a bigger issue on a tablet. It’s much easier for a student to fire up a game, fall into YouTube, or get lost on social media instead of finishing homework or getting to bed on time. Those same temptations exist on laptops, but the tablet form factor makes them easier to slip into.

If these cons are a deal-breaker, here are two excellent and budget-friendly laptops I suggest you get for your kid instead.

Bottom line

A tablet can be a fantastic tool for schoolwork, but only if it matches how your kid works and what their school expects.

For younger children focused on reading, interactive lessons, and lighter assignments, a tablet is often the better fit. For older students handling longer writing, research projects, or heavier software, a proper laptop is usually the smarter daily driver. Solid options in that category that I recommend include the Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Neo, both of which currently start at $699.

If you decide to go the tablet route, pair it with a good keyboard case, enable strong parental controls, and set clear rules about when it’s a school device versus a fun distraction. This keeps the advantages while limiting the downsides.

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• 12 essential back-to-school laptop accessories under $50 I recommend
• I tested the new Dell XPS 13 for two weeks — here's 3 things I love (and 1 I hate)

This week Apple released macOS version 26.7, and apparently hidden in the code are references to multiple unreleased Apple devices that all could launch in the coming months.

In total, the apparent accidental leaks reveal at least 14 products, including AirPods with cameras, the expected foldable iPhone Ultra, new OLED models of the MacBook and iPad mini and a next-generation Apple TV. The leak was discovered by Aaron Perris of MacRumors.

For many of these devices, the best we can note from the code is that they exist or will exist at some point. But it does give us an idea of what Apple could be working on and what's next.

Here's the full list for now:

• Apple Home Hub
• HomePod mini 3
• Apple Security Camera
• Home Accessory
• iPhone Air 2
• iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro Max
• iPhone 18
• iPhone Ultra
• MacBook Pro 14” M6
• iMac M6
• MacBook Pro OLED touchscreen
• iPad mini OLED
• AirPod Ultra (with camera)
• Beats headphones

With Apple's annual iPhone event around the corner, we're expecting a majority of that list to be announced next month. That includes the iPhone 18 Pro models, the iPhone Ultra, and the AirPods Ultra with cameras that were revealed in a leaked video this week.

The leaked code doesn't appear to have release dates, not that it would. With that in mind, of the devices on the list, the base model iPhone 18 and super-thin iPhone Air 2 likely won't debut until next spring with Apple's rumored split launch.

There are two interesting reveals in the OLED devices and the suite of smart home devices.

OLED MacBook and iPad mini

Apple doesn't release MacBooks until later in the fall, typically in mid-October. The most recent leaks have suggested that Apple will add the MacBook to its burgeoning "Ultra" line.

The Apple MacBook Ultra is supposed to debut this year with an OLED touchscreen panel and the M6 chipset. The OLED panel and touchscreen would be among three firsts for Apple laptops, including a new iPhone-esque Dynamic Island. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that it will also get a redesign, though he declined to elaborate on what Apple is changing.

As for the iPad mini, the OLED redesign has been rumored for a couple of years, but recent rumors have settled on an October debut. The big change is the screen, but it should also feature a faster chip. So far, rumors haven't revealed any other changes.

Apple's Smart Home ambitions

Since Apple revealed Apple Intelligence in 2024, rumors about an AI-boosted suite of smart home devices have been repeatedly leaked, though the delay of Siri 2.0 seemingly kept getting in the way.

It's being built around a new version of the Apple HomePod. Per MacRumors, this code leak potentially revealed two versions of the HomePod: one that mounts on the wall and one with a built-in base that may or may not be a speaker with essentially an iPad on it.

One of the code names, "B525" apparently refers to what may be the HomePod mini 2, as the current version had a B520 codename.

The Apple Security Camera is both a surprise since it hasn't really been revealed previously, but also not that shocking. At WWDC 2026, Apple announced an upgrade to Apple Home Secure Video that adds AI for natural language search, detailed video descriptions and more. Apple is clearly thinking about security cameras.

The other interesting reference is to something labeled Pebble, which may be a smart home OS that we had previously seen codenamed as "Charismatic."

New Apple TV 4K and Siri remote

The one I'm most curious about is the long-rumored next-generation Apple TV 4K set-top streaming box Apparently, the code reveals a new, upgraded Siri remote too.

The code doesn't reveal any changes, but it seems to suggest that an Apple TV update is coming after years of rumors. Some rumors have suggested the new streaming box could have a camera for FaceTime calls.

Otherwise, we're mostly expecting internal upgrades with the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and at the very least the A17 Pro chip, though I expect something higher at this point.

We'll be tracking all of these potential devices in the coming months, with the iPhone lineup the first to hit in September.

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• iPhone Ultra trade-offs: The biggest things you’re not getting versus iPhone 18 Pro
• I found the 15 best Apple deals in Best Buy's massive 60th Anniversary sale — AirPods, Apple Watches, MacBooks and more
• iPhone Ultra leakers reveal new details around release and 'extremely limited' availability

Best Buy has just turned 60 years old. To celebrate, the retailer is holding a massive online sale that runs until Sunday, August 23. There's huge savings to be had across thousands of products and brands.

For this particular article I've narrowed down the search to Apple products. The company makes some of the most powerful, easy-to-use, and desirable technology out there, but they can be expensive, so any opportunity to save some money is welcome!

I've picked out a range of MacBooks, iPhones, Apple Watches, and other great bits of kit here, with prices starting at under $100. Take a look at the selection below – and happy shopping!

Today Apple announced its new leasing program, Apple Upgrade which is undergirded by Klarna for iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad.

The program lets customers sign up for a plan, similar to how you would lease a car, for fixed 12-, 24- and 36-month terms depending on the device. There are options to upgrade to a new device early or return it at the end of the lease.

Apple called the new plan a "more flexible way to pay for products."

It's possible this does offer some flexibility from paying an upfront lump sum or tying yourself to an onerous contract via a network carrier like Verizon or T-Mobile.

However, experts I spoke with think the Upgrade plan is meant to cover rising component costs.

"By shifting the focus to lower monthly payments, it helps mask the effect of rising hardware costs and makes premium devices feel more affordable and attainable for a broader range of consumers," Jitesh Ubrani, a director at IDC, said.

They added that it could entice people who don't want to pay the higher upfront costs, as even Apple has hiked prices recently. It also gives Apple a "steady stream of trade-ins" that the company can resell to expand its customer base.

"Many people are effectively leasing their phones already through carrier plans; leasing a watch or a Mac -- when you know that these are also devices that have upgrade cycles -- can make sense," Techsponential's Avi Greengart told Tom's Guide. "it's still a lease, so you won't be able to use it until it dies unless you buy out the lease, and it may not be the absolute most economical approach."

Beyond upfront prices, is Apple Upgrade better for you? Let's take a look at how the program works.

How Apple Upgrade works

Apple Upgrade offers 12- or 24-month lease terms for eligible iPhones and Apple Watches. For those seeking a Mac or iPad, there are 24- or 36-month options.

Prices start as low as $11.99 per month for the Apple Watch and iPad, depending on size and storage capacity. iPhones start at $17.99, while Macs can be leased starting at $24.99 a month.

You can sign up online or at an Apple Store, where you will be approved by Klarna, which does require a soft credit check that should not impact your credit score.

At the end of the lease term, you can return the device or upgrade to a newer generation or purchase it with a one-time payment.

Compared to the outgoing iPhone Upgrade program, the Apple Upgrade Program does not include AppleCare, which is a separate subscription price and varies in price depending on your device.

Per MacRumors, if you miss a payment, it will be rolled into the next month's payment with no late fees. However, if you miss three consecutive payments, the lease will end, and you will have to pay the full outstanding balance, minus the value of the device when returned. If Klarna can't collect, a debt collection agency will be sent your information.

Apple Upgrade prices

Apple is offering the entire iPhone 17 lineup, plus the iPhone Air, both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 and three iPad options, including the iPad Air, iPad Pro and iPad mini.

For Macs, you can lease the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Studio.

Apple defaults to the 24-month leasing option, so we'll share that. The other options can lower or raise your price. Additionally, higher storage capacity or chip versions will also increase the monthly price.

Finally, the price does not include taxes and fees.

Here's how much the base model of each device will cost you.

We've separated the iPads and Macs out because these devices can have the longer 36-month term. Again, the prices below are for the base model of each device and the 24-month term.

No leasing entry-level devices

You may have noticed several Apple devices aren't eligible for the upgrade program. It includes the vanilla iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, as well as the entry-level models of almost every device category.

Here's the full list of Apple products you can't lease:

• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• Apple Watch SE
• MacBook Neo
• Mac mini
• iPad (A16)
• Studio Display

Availability

Apple Upgrade is available now for all of the listed devices. Apple says that a security deposit is not required and that a trade-in device could reduce monthly payments.

I will note that if you end a lease early, you could see termination fees. Also, if you don't do anything at the end of the lease, you'll be charged the purchase fee.

Lastly, hidden in the fine print, upgrading a device could increase your monthly payments, which is true for both higher-capacity versions of devices and more expensive models when new generations launch in the coming years.

More from Tom's Guide

• We asked 368 people what they want from the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Here’s the resounding answer (and it’s not AI)
• iOS 27 finally fixes the most annoying iPhone workaround we all use
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Apple will reportedly launch the first OLED iPad mini. That’s according to Bloomberg reporter and Apple tipster Mark Gurman, whose sources claim this updated iPad mini could arrive as early as this October. If true, this would be the biggest upgrade for the company’s smallest tablet. This has me both excited and worried.

The iPad mini was last updated in October 2024 with the iPad mini 7. Besides the A17 Pro chip, it retained the same design introduced in 2021.

This reported 8th-generation iPad mini model, currently code-named J510, would presumably have a faster chip along with the OLED panel. The report doesn’t specify if the tablet will receive other design upgrades, like thinner bezels.

Gurman’s report also discusses other upcoming iPad models. This includes an updated entry-level iPad, code-named J581, reportedly set for release early next year, according to Gurman’s sources. New iPad Air models, in both 11- and 13-inch variants, code-named J807 and J837, are allegedly dropping in Spring of 2027, along with new iPad Pro models around the same time.

Regarding the other iPads, Gurman doesn’t say whether or not the iPad Air line will get the same OLED upgrade as the iPad mini 8. If the iPad Air keeps the same Liquid Retina display, it would be the only iPad model without an OLED panel.

The iPad mini 7 currently starts at $599, which is $100 more than its original cost, thanks to Apple price hikes. Given the volatility of prices thanks to the ongoing RAM crisis, it’s difficult to say how much the iPad mini 8 could cost. However, the introduction of an OLED panel would naturally make this tablet more expensive.

Outlook

Though Mark Gurman has a stellar track record for Apple scoops, it’s best to take this report with a grain of salt, as Apple has yet to officially announce the new iPad mini or new iPads in general. We’ll keep our ears to the ground on this one, so stay tuned for more as we hear it.

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• Apple Watch Ultra 4 — these are the upgrades it needs
• 7 hidden iOS 27 features Apple didn't tell you about

If you thought Apple raising prices on Macs and iPads would be the end of it, you were sorely mistaken. The company has now raised AppleCare+ prices for various Macs and iPads, with prices rising by $0.50 cents a month, or $5 for those people on annual plans.

However, there is a caveat to this change. For starters, this will only affect new purchases, so those of you who are already paying for AppleCare+ won't suddenly be asked to pay more money. AppleCare One, which offers care for up to three devices, is similarly unaffected.

Bloomberg notes that the cost of covering a 13-inch MacBook Air has risen from $7.49 a month to $7.99 a month, while an annual plan is now $80 a year instead of the $75 you'd have paid last week. The price hikes are affecting all Mac, MacBook and iPad devices the same, but so far, all other Apple products seem to have escaped this particular form of inflation.

I wouldn't expect that to last long, though. As the cost of components goes up, so too will the cost of repairs. While there is no confirmation that AppleCare+ prices will go up for the likes of the iPhone or Apple Watch, odds are that it will happen in the near future. Especially if the iPhone 18 Pro prices increase this year, as they are widely expected to do.

In other words, if you have been putting off signing up for AppleCare+ and want to make sure your Apple devices are protected against damage, you might want to sign up as soon as possible. Although the damage is already done for Macs and iPads, so you folks have all the time in the world to mull over that decision.

Spreading out your iPad payments

AppleCare+ price hikes aren't the only financial changes happening at the App Store, either. Apple has just launched new 36-month carrier financing for cellular-capable iPads, which joins the existing 12-month interest-free financing option.

Like the 12-month finance option, this new 3-year payment plan is interest-free. However, it's provided by the carrier rather than Apple itself. However, you will need to sign up for a data plan, and so far, Apple is only offering this particular payment plan if you're connecting to AT&T or Verizon.

The carrier financing option is also available to existing customers "when connecting to a new line of service." You'll be taken through that process of setting up a new line before you check out, and obviously, this means you will be on the hook for monthly data payments. Though it doesn't make sense to buy a cellular iPad if you're not planning on getting a data plan too.

Considering how much the cost of some iPads has risen due to recent Apple price hikes, it makes sense for a longer interest-free payment plan to be available. For example, an 11-inch iPad Pro with cellular is now $1,399, which is $289 more than the original $1,110 price tag. It's a lot of money to spend on a tablet, but if you split the cost over three years, you end up paying just shy of $39 a month.

Of course, this means you are on the hook for paying that every single month for three years — regardless of how your life and circumstances might change. So there's a trade-off to those low monthly payments. But if you want an iPad Pro and plan on keeping it for the long term, it is a good way to avoid dropping several hundred dollars in one go.

More from Tom's Guide

• Google Pixel 11 just leaked via Amazon — here's the specs, colors and obligatory price hike
• iOS 27 hands-on preview: These new features completely change how I use my iPhone
• The end of OnePlus just got confirmed — the original 'flagship killer' brand finally decides to settle

Apple is expected to launch iPadOS 27 this Fall, but you can try the upcoming operating system right now via the public beta. While the OS is still a work in progress, it has most of the essential new features coming to the best iPads.

Like iOS 27 and macOS 27, iPadOS 27 is focused on overall system refinements and deeper AI integration. That last bit is especially noteworthy, as there is now a dedicated Siri AI app that functions like a standard chatbot. Beyond answering questions, Siri AI can also take actions on your behalf since it’s integrated into the operating system and works with Apple’s applications.

Though iPadOS 27 isn’t a monumental update, features like the overhauled Siri AI, the Liquid Glass slider, and other quality-of-life improvements make it worthwhile. Here are my impressions of the upcoming iPad operating system and its new features.

iPadOS 27 hands-on preview: Compatible iPads

Here are all the iPads that support iPadOS 27.

• iPad Pro (M4 and later)
• iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad (9th generation and later)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad mini (6th generation)

iPadOS 27 hands-on preview: New features

Siri AI

Apple Intelligence is finally ready for prime time on the company’s devices. Thanks to the new Siri AI app, you can now interact with Apple’s virtual assistant the same way you would with a chatbot like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Apple Intelligence runs on both servers and your device to offer better image understanding and more.

There is now a dedicated Siri AI app, which looks and functions like a regular chatbot app. In this window, you can ask Siri questions or have it perform tasks for you. For example, I used Siri to send a message to one of my iMessage group chats, and it did so after my approval. Sure, I could have just done this directly in the group chat, but it’s a good demonstration of what the new Siri can do.

Siri AI also understands what it sees on your screen. When I had the Tom’s Guide homepage open on Google Chrome, it correctly detailed what was on the screen, including all the articles. It couldn’t open the articles or read them out loud (despite saying it could), but given that I’m testing a beta version, I’ll give it an A for effort, even if it failed to complete the task.

Siri is most useful when you’re using Apple’s own apps and programs. It can create events on your calendar, set reminders, play music, and more. For example, when you’re looking at a schedule, you’ll see an “add to calendar” button pop up. When you right-click certain folders, files, or apps, you’ll see an “Ask Siri” option at the bottom. Selecting this will open a window where you can start texting or talking with Siri.

Though Siri can’t yet interact with most third-party applications (such as those from Google), it’s a huge improvement over the old Siri.

Liquid Glass improvements

Liquid Glass hasn’t gone anywhere, as Apple is leaning more into the UI with its latest operating system updates. However, Apple is now giving you greater control over how it looks thanks to a new slider that adjusts the opacity. You can’t eliminate the Liquid Glass look, but you can severely minimize it.

There are other improvements, such as how complex background visuals now appear more diffuse so that text stands out more. You’ll also notice that the edges of icons are more pronounced to help further separate them from the background. The uniform corner radius of all app windows also helps them stand out more.

Even if Liquid Glass hasn’t gone anywhere, even detractors should find the updates tolerable since they do greatly improve overall readability and visibility. The Liquid Glass slider is a nice touch.

I've never had a problem with Liquid Glass because I think it’s an interesting visual effect. That said, I’m glad that folks can now fine-tune it to their liking. The slider is especially neat because it’s easy to use and makes it clear how much of a difference there is when you go from one extreme to the other.

Child safety features

If you’re a parent, you’ll be happy to know that Apple is expanding its parental control features with iPadOS 27. This way, you can let the kiddo use Apple’s tablet without worrying too much about the kind of content they’re watching and for how long they’re using the slate.

Some of these updates include a redesigned and more intuitive Screen Time Dashboard that offers one-tap controls and expanded safeguards. There is also Time Allowances for app categories, Ask to Browsw website approval, Communication Safety that blurs gore or violence, and one-tap access management. You can tailor these features to suit your child.

I don’t have kids but I did find the child safety features simple enough to use and customize. Given how much kids love iPads, it’s smart for Apple to continue making adjustments to these safety features.

iPadOS 27 hands-on preview: Other features

Spatial Reframing: As the name suggests, you can now reframe a photo after it’s been taken thanks to this feature. You can also expand your shots with the Extend Tool and remove objects with the Clean Up tool.

Upgraded Image Playground: Image Playground can now generate higher quality images than before. You can also modify and transform existing images by describing what you want.

Siri in Notes: Siri AI can assist with your handwritten or typed notes in the Notes app by (for example) organizing bullet points into a formatted agenda or turning handwritten lectures into a detailed study guide.

Safari updates: In Safari, tabs can now be automatically grouped by topic to make related pages easier to find. With Safari Notify Me, you can receive an alert if there’s a price change or a restock for an item you’ve been eyeing.

Describe Shortcuts: Instead of manually building complex workflows, you can now describe what you need, and Shortcuts connects actions across multiple apps to make it happen. This is useful if you want to set specific routines, such as launching a specific app when you connect a peripheral.

iPadOS 27 hands-on preview: Outlook

iPadOS 27 won’t set the world on fire with revolutionary new features, but the upgraded Siri AI and deeper Apple Intelligence integrations help make iPads that support the update more useful. This is especially true if you frequently use Apple’s own apps.

Keeping in mind that iPadOS 27 is still a work in progress, I think it’s a smart update that finally sees Apple’s AI ambitions bear fruit. Things could change between now and when the expected Fall launch, but right now, Apple has delivered on its promises for a more helpful and intuitive iPad experience.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple hid a perfect 'dumb phone' feature inside your iPhone that's great for kids — here's how to turn it on
• iOS 27 beta now lets you customize Siri's pace and expressivity — here's how to do it
• iOS 27's new AI feature will automatically fix your weak passwords — how to set it up

You don’t have to wait to try iPadOS 27, as you can try it out now via the public beta. Even if this version of the operating system isn’t groundbreaking, its emphasis on AI should make for a more personal and customized experience.

As with iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate, the main attraction is the reinvented Siri, which finally lives up to its potential. Siri AI, as it’s now called, is context-aware and understands what’s on your screen. Because it’s built into the OS, it can directly control and manage apps. There are also new child safety features, improved readability for Liquid Glass, new photo-editing tools, and more.

While public betas are generally safer than developer betas, it’s best to proceed with caution, as there may be bugs that could harm your iPad. If you’re not bothered by that (I’ve never had issues in all my years of running these Apple betas), then here’s how to download the iPadOS 27 public beta.

How to download the iPadOS 27 public beta

Before you install the beta, make sure to back up your iPad, just in case anything goes wrong and you need to return to iPadOS 26.

You’ll then need to enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program. You may already be enrolled from prior years, but if not, visit the sign-up page to get the ball rolling. You’ll need to log in with your name and address, then set your entity type as an individual. When the payment screen appears, back out, and you’ll be on the free developer tier.

Here is the full list of iPads that are compatible with iPadOS 27:

• iPad Pro (M4 and later)
• iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad (9th generation and later)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad mini (6th generation)

And that's how you download the iPadOS 27 public beta! You should be safe using the beta, but if you don’t want to risk it, you can always wait for the full release this Fall.

More from Tom's Guide

• I just downloaded macOS 27 public beta — skip Siri AI and try these 5 hidden features instead
• Haptic vs. Mechanical trackpads: I put them both through a gauntlet, and one almost made me throw my laptop into the sun
• Exclusive: I asked Lenovo’s GM to predict the future of monitors, and it's the end of our chaotic, cable-cluttered desks and monitors that fry your retinas

A few days ago, Apple finally confirmed that the "unprecedented challenge" of the RAM crisis had forced it to hike the prices of some of its hardware, with some devices now costing as much as $1,300 more than they did this time last week.

Question is, are these latest price hikes a fair trade-off for quality devices being manufactured at a time when the AI boom is eating up mountains of RAM, and the Strait of Hormuz shipping disruption has put further commercial pressures on manufacturers, or is Apple being greedy?

Tom's Guide member relh didn't hold back, commenting, "I can understand why Apple had to make an increase but I am not planning to help them maintain their huge profit margin (which I understand is north of 30%). For the first time since 1984 when I bought my first Mac (yes, the very expensive 128K model) I am thinking about bailing on Apple."

This comment made me feel both nostalgic for the first Apple product I used, and sympathetic to the user's point.

In response to our recent poll asking "At what point do you usually give up and buy a new Mac?", relh continued, "My answer to the survey used to be 'when hardware can’t run latest system software'. This would have applied this year when my Intel iMac could not run new macOS BUT this year the ridiculous increase of more than 30% for a Mac Studio put a stop to that. I had planned to upgrade on Friday but the price increase I saw on Thursday was more than I could tolerate."

What do you think? Let us know in the below poll, and in the comments section.

Apple Increases

Apple has raised the cost of MacBooks, desktop Macs, iPads, Vision Pro and even the less-memory-hungry devices like Apple TV 4K and Homepod... and has hinted that this is just the beginning. Among the full list of Apple price hikes are these notable ones:

• Apple TV 4K: $199 (up from $129, $70 increase)
• HomePod: $349 (up from $299, $50 increase)
• iPad: $449 (up from $349, $100 increase)
• MacBook Neo: $699 (up from $599, $100 increase)
• iMac: $1,499 (up from $1,299, $200 increase)
• M5 Pro MacBook Pro: $2,499 (up from $2,199, $300 increase)
• Vision Pro: $3,699 (up from $3,499, $200 increase)
• M5 Max MacBook Pro: $4,099 (up from $3,599, $500 increase)
• M3 Ultra Mac Studio: $5,299 (up from $3,999, $1,300 increase)

The UK prices mirror the above US prices.

Apple users reactions

Our members weren't the only ones expressing their opinions on Apple's price hikes, with Redditors also feeling hot under the collar. On a thread in r/macbook, a user named Up_Beat_Argument wrote, "I feel like I watched the entire ripple effect work its way through the market, and it was surreal. Like being in a nightmare you can’t wake up from... And I guess the worst part is that it’s going to get worse before it gets better."

Among the 140 comments in that thread, users echoed sentiments about the new prices being too steep, mused that they may need to downgrade their tech in order to afford a new device, and echoed concerns about Apple's profit margins being an unspoken driver behind the costs.

Are these Redditors being too cynical, or do you think there's more than a grain of truth there?

On another thread, SwampYankee said, "I’d be surprised if they didn’t raise iPhone prices soon." This matches up with what analysts told my colleague Tom Pritchard about iPhone 18 price hikes likely being worse than we thought.

To which perthguppy added, "Also, announce unpopular stuff from the outgoing CEO now, and give the new CEO a better honeymoon period."

They may have a point.

Users on a thread titled 'Wall Street isn't buying Apple's unprecedented price hikes on products', though still generally disgruntled at the soaring RRPs, speculated that perhaps the increase was so steep because Apple had held off increasing prices for a couple of years, to avoid bad publicity.

Whatever the future holds for Apple prices (and let's face it, it's super unlikely to be any permanent reductions), perhaps it's time to consider shopping second-hand and refurbished Apple products for the time being.

How do you feel about the price hikes? Let us know in the comments below.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple price hikes are official — here's how much more you'll pay for MacBooks and iPads now
• Analysts warn the iPhone 18 price hike could be worse than we thought
• MacBook Neo vs. Chromebooks: Which budget laptop is right for you?

We all knew this day was coming. Apple has officially confirmed in statements to publications like CNBC that the RAM crisis has come for its devices and that MacBook and iPad devices are going up in price by as much as $500. Some high-end devices are going up by more than $1,000.

That's a significant bump for anyone looking to get their hands on Apple's latest hardware.

Apple's online store went down for a few minutes and came back with higher prices on many of its devices.

Of course, it wasn't done silently, as Apple offered a statement explaining the difficult decision to increase prices: "The consumer electronics industry is facing an unprecedented challenge. The rapid expansion of AI data centers has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage. We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly."

New Mac prices

Price increases are hitting across both U.S. and U.K., and since it's the same number on both sides of the pond, I can't help but feel especially hard done by in Britain given it's an apples-to-apples significantly larger number!

U.S. Increases

• MacBook Neo: $699 (up from $599, $100 increase)
• 13-inch MacBook Air: $1,299 (up from $1,099, $200 increase)
• 15-inch MacBook Air: $1,499 (up from $1,299, $200 increase)
• M5 MacBook Pro: $1,999 (up from $1,699, $300 increase)
• M5 Pro MacBook Pro: $2,499 (up from $2,199, $300 increase)
• M5 Max MacBook Pro: $4,099 (up from $3,599, $500 increase)
• iMac: $1,499 (up from $1,299, $200 increase)
• M4 Max Mac Studio: $2,499 (up from $1,999, $500 increase)
• M3 Ultra Mac Studio: $5,299 (up from $3,999, $1,300 increase)

U.K. increases

• MacBook Neo: £699 (up from £599, £100 increase)
• 13-inch MacBook Air: £1,299 (up from £1,099, £200 increase)
• 15-inch MacBook Air: £1,499 (up from £1,299, £200 increase)
• M5 MacBook Pro: £1,999 (up from £1,699, £300 increase)
• M5 Pro MacBook Pro: £2,499 (up from £2,199, £300 increase)
• M5 Max MacBook Pro: £4,099 (up from £3,599, £500 increase)
• iMac: £1,499 (up from £1,299, £200 increase)
• M4 Max Mac Studio: £2,499 (up from £1,999, £500 increase)
• M3 Ultra Mac Studio: £5,299 (up from £3,999, £1,300 increase)

New iPad prices

U.S. Increases

• iPad: $449 (up from $349, $100 increase)
• 11-inch iPad Air: $749 (up from $599, $150 increase)
• 13-inch iPad Air: $949 (up from $749, $200 increase)
• 11-inch iPad Pro: $1,199 (up from $999, $200 increase)
• 13-inch iPad Pro: $1,499 (up from $1,299, $200 increase)
• iPad mini: $599 (up from $499, $100 increase)

U.K. Increases

• iPad: £429 (up from £329, £100 increase)
• 11-inch iPad Air: £749 (up from £599, £150 increase)
• 13-inch iPad Air: £949 (up from £749, £200 increase)
• 11-inch iPad Pro: £1,199 (up from £999, £200 increase)
• 13-inch iPad Pro: £1,499 (up from £1,299, £200 increase)
• iPad mini: £599 (up from £499, £100 increase)

Apple TV, HomePod and Vision Pro

U.S. Increases

• Apple TV 4K: $199 (up from $129, $70 increase)
• HomePod: $349 (up from $299, $50 increase)
• HomePod mini: $129 (up from $99, $30 increase)
• Vision Pro: $3,699 (up from $3,499, $200 increase)

U.K. Increases

• Apple TV 4K: £199 (up from £129, £70 increase)
• HomePod: £349 (up from £299, £50 increase)
• HomePod mini: £129 (up from £99, £30 increase)
• Vision Pro: £3,499 (up from £3,299, £200 increase)

That's a lot of money, especially for ultra-high-end devices like the Mac Studio, which is up to $2,499/£2,499. For MacBooks, the largest increase comes to the M5 Max MacBook Pro, which is going up by $500/£500. In those cases, it's a matter of ultra-expensive devices becoming even more expensive.

While not the biggest increase, the MacBook Neo's $100/£100 price jump could be the most impactful. The Neo is Apple's attempt to target more budget-conscious laptop shoppers who would otherwise opt for a cheap Windows laptop or Chromebook. An extra $100 there could potentially put the laptop out of reach for some buyers.

Thankfully, iPhone prices are unchanged with this adjustment, but who knows for how long that will last. Perhaps the company will hold off until the iPhone 18 Pro hits the market.

More from Tom's Guide

• Windows fans mocked MacBook Neo’s 8GB RAM — my testing shows why that’s wrong
• I ditched the MacBook Air for a MacBook Neo for 48 hours — and I'm shocked
• MacBook Neo vs. Chromebooks: Which budget laptop is right for you?

You're in luck if you're hunting for one of the best iPads, as the entire line is currently discounted for Amazon Prime Day. Whether you want the regular iPad or the powerful MacBook Pro, you can save big.

For instance, the 11-inch iPad with the A16 chip is currently on sale for $50 off. If you're looking for something a little more premium but still affordable, the 11-inch iPad Air M4 is $80 off right now. Those who want the most powerful Apple tablet yet can check out the 13-inch iPad Pro M5 with 512GB for $250 off.

Keep scrolling to check out the latest iPad deals at Amazon and other vendors. And if you're looking for more savings, check out our best Apple deals guide. Also, take a look at this week's top AirPods sales and MacBook deals. Plus, bookmark our Apple Store coupons page for the best promo codes on all Apple devices.

Quick links

• shop all iPads on sale at Amazon
• 11" iPad (A16, 128GB): was $349 now $299 @ Amazon
• Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro, 128GB): was $499 now $399 @ Amazon
• 11" iPad Air (M4, 128GB): was $599 now $519 @ Amazon
• 11" iPad Pro (M5, 256GB): was $999 now $899 @ Amazon
• 13" iPad Pro (M5, 256GB): was $1,299 now $1,199 @ Amazon
• 13" iPad Pro (M5, 512GB): was $1,499 now $1,249 @ Amazon

Best iPad deals

Best iPad Air deals

Best iPad Pro deals

Best iPad deals accessories

The next Prime Day event launches on June 23, which means it’ll be your opportunity to save some cash on your next tablet. While the big sales haven’t hit just yet, some worthwhile deals are happening right now.

For instance, you can save $80 off the TCL Tab A1 Plus and $40 off the Lenovo Tab M11 if you’re looking for an Android tablet. Want an iPad instead? Well, the base iPad 11 is currently $50 off, while the 11-inch iPad Pro M5 has been discounted by $62.

There isn’t much to choose from at the moment from well-known brands, but I’ll update this post with the latest deals as we get closer to Prime Day, when we’ll surely see better offerings. Now, here are 5 early Prime Day deals to check out.

Also, if you’re not yet an Amazon Prime member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial at Amazon and students can get a 6-month free trial. For more ways to save, check out the Tom's Guide Savings Squad as well as our list of the best Amazon promo codes this week.

Quick Links

• Lenovo Tab M11: was $249 now $209 @ Amazon
• TCL Tab A1 Plus: was $299 now $279 @ Amazon
• 11" iPad (A16): was $349 now $299 @ Amazon
• 11" iPad Air (M4): was $599 now $559 @ Amazon
• 11" iPad Pro (M5): was $999 now $937 @ Amazon

Early Prime Day tablet deals

Even before ChatGPT went mainstream Siri has been the butt of jokes for not being very smart. And it’s been justified. Trying anything beyond the basics — playing music, getting the weather, setting timers — has been an exercise in futility. That (hopefully) changes with Siri AI, which is coming to iPhones, iPads and Macs with iOS 27.

I had a chance to see some in-person demos of the new Siri AI in action, and while these were very much rehearsed, there’s real potential here to save you time and make your life easier. However, the new Visual Intelligence is no Gemini Live, and Siri can take its time with certain tasks (at least in the beta stage). Here’s what I like so far, and what needs work.

Siri AI on iPhone

The first thing you should know about Siri AI is that it understands personal context. So you can ask questions about pretty much anything on your device, and the assistant is smart enough to dig through apps for you to surface the right info.

During one demo, an Apple rep asked “Which podcast did my sister recommend recently.” And Siri AI then pulled up the answer from a text message. Even better, you can just say “Play it” and Siri will fire up Apple Music and help you dive right in. (Apple will open up this capability to other developers in case you have another favorite music or podcast app.)

Siri can also get stuff done on your behalf across multiple apps, including performing multiple tasks with a single prompt.

The second demo started with just a couple of items on a camping list, but an email from a friend had a lot more recommendations. You can just say “add this stuff to my camping gear list and remind me to pack for my trip when I get home.”

Siri then got to work, updating the list in the Notes app and then setting a location-based reminder. However, it did take a while to complete these tasks. Hopefully, the final Siri will be faster.

I was pretty impressed by the improved Visual Intelligence experience, too. You can now access it via a dedicated Siri mode within the camera app, so you don’t have to use the Camera Control button shortcut. I think that’s huge for ease of use and discoverability.

During the demo, an iPhone captured an image of two books. You could then ask which book you should read first if you really liked Hyperion and Siri gave its recommendation. The Apple rep then asked which of these books had been turned into a movie and Wool had been adapted into the ‘Silo’ TV series. Cool, yes, but yeah I told you it was canned.

What’s not clear is whether this works with live video and I’m following up on that.

Siri AI on Mac

Accessing Siri AI on Mac is as easy as just pulling up Spotlight or typing command + Shift + Space. When you start typing Spotlight will know what sorts of queries should go to Siri versus say just launching apps.

Let’s say you’re looking for vacation spot and type “What’s the best Hawaiian Island for a young family.” Siri will get to work and pull up recommendations in a new window, which you can then expand and park on either side of the screen.

You can then ask follow-up questions like “Which is best for sea turtles” to narrow your selections. From there you can hit a button in the top right corner to bring you into the dedicated Siri app.

The dual-pane app will have your chat in the right window and your history of all Siri chats in the left window. It’s pretty easy to navigate.

To help you save time on productivity tasks, you can use Siri AI wherever you can use a cursor. The demo showed how you can be looking at a messy note with a bunch of info and then use a secondary click to bring up the Ask Siri menu.

After typing “Draft an email that summarizes this and include the action items,” Siri did just that. It’s definitely a timesaver. I just wish it worked with Gmail as well Apple Mail. Google would have to plug into Siri AI’s framework.

My favorite Siri AI on Mac demo came when a mock summer schedule appeared on screen with dates, times and locations for the matches. You can use Command + Shift + Space and then click the Add to Calendar button that automatically appears.

From there Siri AI will let you add all of the games to your calendar. Or you could tell Siri to only add the home games to your calendar if you wanted. Where was this when my kids were playing sports?

Siri on iPad

Last but not least, Siri AI on iPad works in much the same that it does on the iPhone, but having a larger canvas has its benefits.

You can access Siri AI at any time just by swiping down from the top middle of the display. As you begin to type “Who are the top golfers in the PGA right now,” the text “Ask Siri” appears right after it because Apple’s assistant knows that it can help.

Siri AI will then tap into Apple’s Broad World Knowledge and bring back answers, complete with citations you can click on.

Apple’s Siri AI can also help you plan a trip and you make the query pretty specific, like “What are the best national parks to visit in the US in July with my family? Recommend something that’s not too hot or crowded.”

Siri AI recommended where to go, including North Cascades National Park in Washington. You can then pop into the full Siri app if you like to ask follow-up questions, or use the Slide Over feature to keep the Siri conversation just a swipe away.

Siri AI outlook

Overall, Siri AI isn't just a rebranding for Apple. It’s a much more capable and personal assistant that's more deeply integrated into the apps you use.

I’m especially impressed by Siri AI’s use of personal context, and the ability to complete multiple actions at once. And while Visual Intelligence doesn’t seem quite as robust as Gemini Live in terms of having a real-time conversation about whatever’s in your camera view or on your screen, it’s certainly much improved.

In addition to a bit more speed, I just want to see what happens when developers get their hands on Siri AI so that you’re not just locked into Apple’s own apps.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple just completely rebuilt Siri AI — here are the 7 biggest upgrades coming to your iPhone
• iOS 27 is official: All the new upgrades and features announced at WWDC 2026
• macOS Golden Gate: The biggest updates coming to Macs

WWDC 26 is in the books (or at least, the keynote is), and as is tradition, we got a good look at OS updates across the Apple ecosystem.

iPadOS 27 is one such release, and developer beta 1 is out as of right now. Here’s what’s new, and why you might want to give it a try — and why you might want to skip it for now.

What’s new in iPadOS 27?

As with iPhone and Mac, the big draw here is the reinvented Siri, which is now much more capable. It’s context-aware, understands what’s on your screen, and can search through your data via on-device processing to find key data from your contacts, messages, Mail, and more.

There are also new child safety features like allowed apps, and a laundry list of tweaks under the hood to things like memory usage, display rendering, and more granularity over the Liquid Glass interface, which debuted last year.

A word of warning

As with any beta, iPadOS or otherwise, you should be wary of features (both new and old) working inconsistently. It’s not uncommon for even a tech giant like Apple to go through multiple rounds of testing before the public beta, which tends to be a little more stable (at least historically speaking).

It’s also possible that running the beta will cause a drop in your battery expectancy. If you find yourself needing to charge more regularly, it could be because you’re on the beta.

Supported iPadOS 27 models

iPadOS 27 is compatible with the following devices:

• iPad Pro 2nd Gen or later
• iPad Air 4th Gen or later
• iPad Mini 6th Gen or later
• iPad 9th Gen or later

It’s worth noting that the new Siri AI features are only supported on M4 or later iPad models.

How to get the iPadOS 27 beta

With those considerations out of the way, the process of enrolling your iPad is very similar to that in prior years.

First, you’ll need to enroll in the Apple Developer Program. You may already be enrolled from prior years, but if not, visit the sign-up page to get the ball rolling.

You’ll need to log your name and address, then set your entity type as an individual. When the payment screen appears, back out, and you’ll be on the free developer tier.

With that done, open your iPad and follow these instructions:

• Open Settings > General > Software Update
• Tap Beta Updates
• Select ‘iPadOS 27 Developer Beta’
• Then download it and install via the on-screen instructions

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Apple's annual developer conference, WWDC 2026, is happening right now, and there are plenty of announcements covering all of the company's major operating systems.

Apple recently switched to an annual naming convention with its operating systems, naming them after the following year. That includes iPadOS 27, which runs on the company's incredibly popular tablets.

Apple is constantly moving ahead with the iPad, and we know that WWDC 2026, which is likely to be outgoing CEO Tim Cook's last, will feature news and info on the latest version of Apple's slate OS.

The company's big focus with iPadOS 27 seems to be on improvements rather than adding new features, which makes it less exciting at first, but will be great for longtime users with sticking points.

Liquid Glass improvements

Liquid Glass is one of Apple's most divisive design choices in recent memory, and the company is showing no signs of ditching it in iPadOS 27. Instead, the company is leaning into it more with more Liquid-focused icons.

However, Apple is also adding a slider that provides better control over Liquid Glass, allowing you to go more transparent or increase the tint so it's barely transparent.

This seems like a smart design move for iPadOS 27 (and other Apple operating systems), as it allows people who really love the transparent look and feel to lean into it, while everyone else can limit it.

Child Safety features

Apple is making a massive expansion to its parental controls features for iPadOS 27. Screen management time is getting some notable upgrades, and developers will have better access to parental control tools within their apps.

"At Apple, our mission has always been to create technology that empowers people and enriches their lives, while helping keep them safe,” said Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s vice president of Health and Fitness. “Our approach to helping families create safer digital experiences is grounded in the belief that every child is unique."

Apple Intelligence

Apple is running new models that will run both on a server and on your device, which Apple says will offer powerful image understanding and more. The most powerful version of its on-device model will only support iPad devices with M4 chips, so older and more affordable iPads will be left out.

The biggest change here for iPad users is that everything is integrated into the OS, including the new Siri, so you can use speech to find what you're looking for. And of course, it can also go online to find answers and then provide them (much like ChatGPT and other AI chatbots).

Siri AI is Apple's name for its new personal assistant, which seems like the obvious choice. Apple promises more conversational features, a dedicated Siri app and a new visual design for the personal assistant.

The new Siri is more conversational, so you can go back and forth with it to get what you need done. Apple demonstrated how to use the conversation feature to plan a World Cup watch party, including a match schedule, menu items, and even searching conversations to find a suggestion from his daughter.

On iPadOS, Apple showcased a pop-out window showing a conversation with Siri and the Siri AI app. It also showed cross-platform conversations, so if you use an iPad, iPhone or other Apple devices, you can switch between them and keep your AI queries going.

On-screen awareness, a feature discussed previously, sounds useful, but Apple didn't go into much detail on how it will work.

Siri AI will also offer writing advice and a proofreading system-wide, which sounds useful if you write on an iPad.

Apple says privacy is a major focus for its AI features on iPad, which is important.

iPadOS 27 release date

Apple appears to be following its typical release schedule, with Tim Cook rounding out the keynote citing a Fall release date for the latest version of its iPad operating system and the beta is scheduled to launch

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WWDC 2026 is upon us, which means we’re about to learn all the upgrades coming to various Apple operating systems. Naturally, one of these will be iPadOS 27. If rumors are correct, we won’t get major iPad-specific upgrades as we saw with iPadOS 26. However, there should be plenty for iPad users to get excited about.

The biggest upgrade should be for Siri and Apple Intelligence, which is also expected for iOS 27 and macOS 27. Apple has lagged in the current AI race, but with Google Gemini powering Siri and Apple Intelligence, Cupertino might finally catch up. We also expect some enhancements to core apps, along with some performance updates.

We’ll officially learn what Apple has been cooking when WWDC kicks off on June 8. For now, here are the three biggest iPadOS 27 announcements we expect.

Siri and Apple Intelligence overhaul

Similar to iOS 27 and macOS 27, iPadOS 27 should see an Apple Intelligence overhaul, specifically targeting Siri.

One of the biggest rumored upgrades is Apple turning Siri into a full-fledged chatbot capable of complex, multi-turn dialogue. This will be possible thanks to Apple’s partnership with Google, which will use Google’s Gemini model to power Apple Intelligence. Expect advanced text- and image-generation features.

We should also see on-screen awareness, which will allow Siri to understand what is happening on your iPad screen. For example, if you’re looking at a document or photo, you can ask Siri to edit it or send it to a specific contact without manually dragging and dropping.

Similarly, Siri should also gain the ability to execute multi-step actions across different apps, such as cross-referencing information in Calendar and drafting an email response in Mail.

Core app enhancements

As with iOS 27, expect some core app upgrades. One such app is Photos, which is expected to receive a major Apple Intelligence boost. A new Extend tool will use generative AI to fill in background scenery beyond a photo's original crop. Meanwhile, a Reframe tool will let you manipulate the perspective of spatial photos.

Apple is also reportedly adjusting system-wide app layouts to better leverage the iPad’s large display. To that end, apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and Apple TV will see their navigation sidebars and tab bars consolidated, merging the search function right into the main navigation interface.

Performance and stability

Since iPadOS 27 is more of an iterative update than a substantial one like iPadOS 26, Apple’s engineers have focused most of their efforts on under-the-hood optimization.

For example, the team is reportedly removing outdated code, squashing long-standing bugs, and improving battery life efficiency and system responsiveness.

Liquid Glass was the major UI overhaul last year, and it’s expected to stick around. However, Apple is reportedly expanding its custom layout tools. This includes a system-wide opacity slider that lets you precisely adjust the appearance of interface elements to your liking.

iPadOS 27: Outlook

Even if iPadOS 27 isn’t as monumental as iPadOS 26, features like a smarter Siri, easier search, and a more stable operating system should make using iPads smoother.

Naturally, this is all based on rumors and reports, so we’ll have to wait until WWDC kicks off on Monday, June 8, to see what Apple has in store for us. Stay tuned!

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As the first half of 2026 winds down, it feels as though Apple has been relatively quiet while we wait for the big Fall product releases. WWDC 2026 is right around the corner in June and as is often the case, it marks the shift between the barren Apple months and the fruitful ones.

With that in mind, based on rumors and leaks, I expect Apple to debut at least 15 new devices between now and the end of the year.

Some like the iPhone and Apple Watches are your typical annual updates (save the over-rumored iPhone Fold), and potential updates to the MacBook Pro lineup. Others, like Apple's long-awaited smart home lineup, all depend on whether Apple has finally figured out Siri 2.0.

All of these devices could give us an idea if the recently reported hardware shakeup is ready to bear fruit.

So, here are the 15 Apple devices we could see this year in order of potential release date.

iPhone 18 Pro models and iPhone Fold - September

On the whole, the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max probably won't be a big divergence from the iPhone 17 versions. A new color, a better chip, possibly a revamped Camera Control button and a smaller Dynamic Island are all on the table. Decent updates, but not terribly exciting.

The iPhone 18 is, we expect, a gap year until 2027's 20th anniversary iPhone, which could truly shake up the iPhone design.

However, the bigger news is that Apple is expected to split the iPhone 18 release with the Pro models this year and the iPhone 18, 18 Plus, and 18e launching in the new spring window next year.

If it launches, and there is debate about that, the iPhone Fold (or Ultra) will be the headline stealer as Apple finally steps into the foldable phones market.

The allegedly crease-free foldable could feature a squat 7.7-inch inner display that is reminiscent of an iPad mini. Apple is reportedly developing iOS 27 to be tailored for the folding iPhone. We'll most likely hear more about that at WWDC 2026, depending on how coy Apple wants to be.

Apple Watches - September

Unlike the iPhone 18 family, there has been a dearth of rumors regarding the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. They typically launch in September alongside the iPhone.

Here's what we know so far.

The Series 12 could feature new holistic sensor tech on the bottom of the watch, including a new eight-sensor array. If true, this could indicate that new health metrics might be coming to the Series 12, or at the very least, more accurate ones. The big change might be an overhauled Health app featuring an AI-powered, personalized wellness concierge.

Otherwise, it should be largely the same as the Series 11, though it might feature Touch ID, which has been disputed.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 may or may not launch this year, the rumors are unclear on this part. If not, we might see the Ultra 4 in 2027.

As for the design, rumors hint at a thinner case, fingerprint scanner and improved Hypertension Alerts. But that's about it for now.

iPads - September/October

The iPad mini is one of the best tablets available today and the eighth iteration could launch this year. Apple hasn't had a consistent release schedule for its tiny iPads, but most rumors suggest the iPad mini 8 could launch around October, maybe late September.

It's rumored to get the A20 Pro, the same chip as the iPhone 18 Pro series. It could also be the first iPad mini to feature an OLED display.

As for the larger entry-level iPad 12, it could launch this year with an A19 chipset. It's looking like it will be a simple refresh with Apple Intelligence features and possibly Apple's N1 wireless chip. Design-wise I expect it to look the same as its predecessor. Outside of that, I only have speculation on possible increases in RAM and storage but with the memory crisis, that may take a back seat.

OLED MacBook Pro M6 and other Macs - October

If they launch this year, I expect to see at least four Mac devices, most likely in October.

The most interesting one is the potential MacBook Pro M6 feature an OLED display.

• Mac Studio
• Mac mini
• iMac
• MacBook Pro M6

Beyond the MacBook, all of the other devices will likely just be chip upgrades going from their current versions to the M5 family.

The Pro model might get a new name the MacBook Ultra, which is meant to differentiate it from the MacBook Neo acting as an even higher-end counterpart to the Pro. It should feature an OLED display and the new M6 chipset.

The design should be similar to previous Pro models. The big upgrades will be the display with a touchscreen and the chipset.

Smart Home devices with a catch

Apple has been rumored to be developing its own suite of smart home devices, including the overhauled HomePod. This could come in the form of a new HomePod mini, a new HomePod 3 and the Home Hub.

The long-awaited Apple TV 4K set-top box update would be part of this update, with new features meant to connect it to your smart home. We're expecting Apple to kit out the next Apple TV with an upgraded chip, possibly an A17 Pro chip, though that rumor is nearly a year old now, so a potentially more powerful chip could be in the cards. The device could also get the N1 chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Here's the thing, though, this all depends on whether Apple has finally figured out Apple Intelligence and Siri. Using AI to control your smart home with your voice and other tools is supposed to be a main part of the experience. That promise could finally arrive with the Gemini-powered version of Siri that is supposed to launch this year.

Additionally, Apple may have a smart security camera and Face ID doorbell in the works. Apple was reportedly in the early stages of development of those at the end of 2024, but it's not clear where Apple is regarding that now.

If Apple finally reveals the new HomePod and other smart home devices, it likely won't happen until after Siri 2.0 actually launches this fall.

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Apple has started sending out invites for the WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8 and it could have some hints about the future of Siri. The image, seen above, is clearly Apple Park, but the glowing symbol and the taglines like "coming bright up" give a hint at a potential visual overhaul for Siri.

It's two years late, but Siri 2.0 is finally supposed to arrive this year. Most rumors have hinted at Siri's potential capabilities, but this little teaser suggests that Siri could also get a visual overhaul.

Here's how Siri could be evolving.

iOS 27 and Gemini

Notably, Apple and Google have already promised that Gemini-powered Siri will debut this year with iOS 27. Google could help turbocharge Siri by offering the same multimodal performance that can be found in other AI chatbots.

With Gemini Live already available on some of the best Android phones, we already have an idea of how Siri could perform. For instance, the Galaxy S26 got advanced task automation to perform complex actions like placing a Dunkin’ Donuts order through DoorDash via voice.

Since the rocky launch of Apple Intelligence in 2024, Apple has been scrambling to refine what already exists rather than introducing new features. Still, this is the system that's supposed to undergird Siri, so new features are likely to be announced that would presumably integrate with Apple's virtual assistant.

That could include AI-based photo editing tools and things like the Galaxy S26’s Now Nudge.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has previously said that Siri 2.0 will offer a more "chatbot-like experience" acting as more of an on-device agentic AI for your iPhone.

However, he's also noted that Apple is making privacy a centerpiece of Siri, which would stand out from AI rivals like OpenAI's ChatGPT.

WWDC 2026: When and how to watch

Apple's latest iteration of its Worldwide Developers Conference runs from June 8 to 12, with the keynote starting on Monday, June 8.

Apple hasn't confirmed the exact start time, but the presentation usually starts around 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. As usual, the event will take place at Apple Park in Cupertino, CA.

The live keynote has generally been streamed on the Apple website, the Apple Developer app and its YouTube channel.

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Six years after Apple dropped Intel in favor of its own M-series processors, the two tech giants are reportedly partnering again on new silicon.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal that Apple and Intel had struck a preliminary deal to produce chips after a year of bargaining. That report did not include what devices those processors would fill.

But now a new report from supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple and Intel have already started initial production of processors for iPhones, iPads and some Macs. Per Kuo, roughly 80% of the chips are meant for iPhones.

Prior to 2020, Apple had a long history with Intel having switched to the company's chips in 2006. Intel-based Macs only just stopped receiving Apple support last year with the release of macOS 26. When macOS 27 drops later this year, it will not support any Intel Macs.

Kuo's report is a read and mostly covers how the Intel deal will impact Apple's partnership with TSMC which makes all of Apple's CPUs currently. But there are some noteworthy bits about where the Intel chips could end up.

The Intel chips are based on the 18A nodes which are used in the company's Panther Lake silicon. This deal apparently is using the chips for Apple's "low-end/legacy" devices.

Kuo's phrasing likely means that Intel is building chips for older models that are still on sale. TSMC would still "retain 90% of supply share" for Apple's more high-end processors.

If the deal works out, I expect we'll see a split between higher-end TSMC Apple devices like the Pro model iPhones and MacBooks. Intel would feature in the more budget-friendly devices like the e-series iPhones and the new MacBook Neo which is already struggling to keep up with demand due to a lack of chips.

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The iPad Air is, to my mind, the perfect iPad for most people. It has just the right blend of price to performance to make it the Goldilocks device in Apple's tablet line-up. The iPad Pro is overkill, and the base iPad 11 lacks features for those wanting more than a content consumption device.

So when the iPad Air M4 arrived last month, I was primed to head down to my nearest Apple store and trade in my aging 2020 Air for the new model. But one thing has given me pause: the iPad Air still lacks an OLED screen.

According to a new report from ETNews citing an industry source, Samsung Display (which manufactures panels for Apple's tablets) is set to begin mass-producing new displays for an iPad Air OLED expected to be announced in March 2027.

Moving to an OLED display would presumably bring with it a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. Apple finally brought that feature to the regular iPhone 17 last September, so I'd be mighty glad to see the iPad Air get the same treatment.

Currently, if you want the best display on an iPad, you need to go for the iPad Pro for those deeper blacks, enhanced contrast and more vibrant colors. Anyone who uses an iPad for video or photo editing will likely see the value in opting for an OLED device.

It's no secret to me (or probably you either) why Apple is dragging its heels on granting the iPad Air an OLED upgrade. The company wants to keep the best features fenced off to persuade people to go for the Pro models. But in a world where affordable Android tablets have been shipping with OLED screens for a couple of years now (case in point: Honor MagicPad 2), Apple withholding it from the iPad Air feels like gatekeeping gone too far.

The unnamed source in the ETNews report claims the next iPad Air "will feature an OLED with lower specifications and manufacturing costs." Which presumably means it will continue to be distinct from the iPad Pro in terms of performance, storage or certain features.

What will it do to the price?

Apple is riding high on credibility when it comes to affordable tech right now, thanks to the excellent MacBook Neo. But adding OLED to the iPad Air could easily lead to a price increase beyond the current $599/£599 MSRP.

The iPad Pro starts at $999 / £999, so I would hesitate to say an iPad Air OLED would cost north of $749, but with the current situation around RAM pricing, nothing is certain.

Would an iPad Air with an OLED screen tempt you to upgrade? Let me know in the comments.

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Today is World Art Day, and while I'm not remotely artistic, I do have very talented friends who are.

To celebrate and offer guidance to those looking to finally leap into creating digital art, I asked my friend Robert for his advice. Robert is a professional illustrator with over seven years of experience working for clients such as Apple, Red Bull, EA, Nike, and now he works on AAA video games.

Combined with my tech expertise, we came up with three product tiers for those looking to get started with digital art, and honestly, I'm kind of tempted to start drawing myself after checking out some of these products.

This guide starts small, but gets pretty expensive quickly, and Robert wanted me to make sure that I emphasize the best way to start creating digital art is with whatever tools you've got access to.

You don't need the best to make amazing artwork, but sometimes treating yourself makes it that little bit easier. So celebrate World Art Day 2026 by treating your passions to a brand new way to draw and get creative, with expertise from a professional illustrator.

A great place to start

Robert says, " A Wacom Android tablet gives you everything you need to start making digital art." And that's why he recommends the Wacom MovinkPad 11. It has similar technology to Wacom's most impressive drawing tablets and grants you access to Clip Studio Paint, an excellent platform to get started drawing digitally.

If you already own a computer, buying a drawing tablet without a display to create with popular apps like Photoshop is a great option too.

And finally, if you want a multipurpose product, you can't get better than a standard iPad, granting you access to the Apple ecosystem and Procreate, one of the best apps for digital art out there. Robert says Procreate excels because "it's simple and intuitive," although at this price point, an entry-level iPad is only 11 inches, and the standard Apple Pencil has no pressure sensitivity.

Oh, and of course, Rob says it's always a good idea to still sketch offline and get inspiration from the outside world, so grabbing some markers is always advised.

Ready to spend a little more

So you're already creating digital art, but you want to take the next step and treat yourself to some excellent products that will enhance your passion.

If you're looking for an iPad, the 13-inch Air is the best bang for buck because you get a larger display to draw on and compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro (yes, it has pressure sensitivity).

I've also included the best drawing stand, because Rob often tells me about his sore shoulder, and one of the best ways to combat Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is to have good posture and a more comfortable drawing experience.

Some Pros actually opt for Wacom over the Apple ecosystem, and the MovinkPad Pro 14 has an OLED display with vivid colors that some will tell you is the best drawing experience on the go.

The Wacom Intuos Pro is the favorite of many digital artists, especially if you have access to a computer (hence my inclusion of the MacBook Neo), because you can have a way more comfortable posture when not drawing directly on a screen. Rob says he loves his Intuos Pro, especially when he's got body aches.

Your parents believe in you (and you've got money to spend)

The final tier of products are for those who (or already) draw professionally. In fact, some of these prices are so eye-watering, that unless you know you need a $3,500 Wacom display, you probably shouldn't even consider it.

Rob says the iPad Pro is one of the best displays for drawing, because it looks beautiful and colors pop from the screen. You can combine it with the Apple Pencil pro listed above to get barrel rotation and hover functionality.

He's also included the Tour Box which is excellent for streamlining artistic workflows, and can be combined with the best Wacom tablets on the market.

If you're serious about graphic design and digital art, the products listed below will serve for years to come, although an iPad Pro is maybe more realistic than spending a large mortgage payment on a 27 inch Cintiq Pro.

It's Apple's 50th anniversary today, and that means I get to find awesome ways of celebrating the old by decorating the new.

2026 has ushered in a whole host of retro revivals, and there's something deeply satisfying about seeing the classic Apple aesthetic make a comeback. The rainbow logo, the beige plastics, the Macintosh silhouette — it all hits different when you realize half a century has passed since Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak started building computers in a garage.

Right now, there's a wave of beautifully crafted retro-styled accessories for your iPhone, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch that pay tribute to Apple's design history while working perfectly with your modern devices. I'm talking classic Macintosh-shaped Mac docks, rainbow Apple logo skins, AirPods cases that look like the original iPod, and watch bands inspired by the candy-colored iMac G3.

I've rounded up my favorite retro Apple accessories available right now. Whether you're a longtime Apple fan who remembers the "Think Different" era, or you just love the vintage aesthetic, these are the products that'll make your setup stand out all year, not just for Apple's 50th anniversary.

Retro iPhone Accessories

There's something special about dressing your iPhone up in a design that nods back to where it all began. These cases all tap into the nostalgia you have for retro Apple products, such as the iconic Bondi Blue iMac G3.

Retro Apple Watch Accessories

If there's one retro Apple accessory that genuinely makes me smile every time I see it, it's the Elago W3 Nightstand Stand. It turns your Apple Watch charger into a miniature classic Macintosh, and I just love the way it looks.

Retro AirPods Accessories

Elago's Classic Monitor case transforms your AirPods into a tiny version of the iconic Macintosh monitor, but my personal favorite might actually be the Music Player case, which turns your AirPods case into a miniature click-wheel iPod.

Retro Mac Accessories

DBrand's retro skin collection lets you wrap your MacBook in designs inspired by the original beige Macintosh plastic, while I just love the look of RayCue's retro dock that sits on your desk pretending to be a Mac from 40 years ago.

Every accessory on this list lets you celebrate the old, while upgrading the new, and I absolutely can't get enough of this nostalgic aesthetic. So pick up a retro AirPods case, slap a rainbow logo on your MacBook, and enjoy the best of both eras. After all, it's not every day a tech company turns 50 — and it's even rarer that its original aesthetic still looks this good.

April 1st 2026, marks a massive milestone for Apple: The company's 50th birthday. From a garage in Los Altos to the most valuable company on the planet, Apple has spent half a century shaping how we live, work, and create.

One brand that wants to cherish the history of Apple's innovations over the years is Grid Studio, which is making some of the best Apple-themed display pieces I've ever seen.

Grid Studio takes old Apple products and repurposes them in beautiful frames that showcase the components of some of the world's most iconic tech devices. From the original iPhone to the famous MacBook Air Steve Jobs pulled out of an envelope, Grid Studio offers a unique way to celebrate the Cupertino company.

For Apple's 50th anniversary, I've pulled together my favorite Grid Studio Apple frames, so you can add some nostalgia to your home decor. Better yet, Grid is offering some pretty large discounts to commemorate such a momentous occasion, with some display pieces up to 40% off.

Think of this as the ultimate Apple birthday gift — for yourself.

iPhones through the years

iPads, Macs, and more

Why I love my Grid Studio frame

Happy 50th, Apple. Here's to 50 more years of innovation. Whether you're treating yourself or buying a gift for the Apple fan in your life, Grid Studio makes excellent products that instantly upgrade your home decor.

I've owned an original iPad frame for over four years, and I love the way it looks in my office. I often look at the iPad and get nostalgic about a simpler time when teenage me saved up to buy one at launch.

The cool thing about Grid Studio frames is that they keep every element of the Apple product, which not only repurposes broken devices that would otherwise end up in landfill but also lets you see every component that, combined, made the device behind the glass.

For many of us now working in technology, the love for tech stemmed from Apple, and these Grid Studio frames are a thoughtful and tasteful way to celebrate the company without totally breaking the bank.

If you want to turn your iPad Air into a productivity machine, you’re probably going to need a keyboard case. When I reviewed the iPad Air M4, Apple sent along its Magic Keyboard Case for me to test too, and while it’s a great accessory — I was able to type nearly as fast as my regular keyboard — I couldn’t get over the fact that it costs $269, nearly half as much as the iPad Air itself. And, Apple’s keyboard lacks backlighting, making it much harder to use in darker conditions.

Fortunately, there are dozens of companies who make iPad Air keyboard cases that cost far less than Apple’s, so I rounded up eight models to see which is the best accessory for your tablet. On each, I used the Speed Typer iPad app, and timed myself three times to get an average score for both speed and accuracy.

I rated each on three criteria (design, price and typing speed) on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best), to see which can really turn your iPad into a laptop replacement.

Belkin Pro Keyboard Case with Magnetic Stand

Like Logitech and Zagg, Belkin’s case was one of the more expensive models I tested (but still about $100 less than Apple’s). I liked its soft-touch cover and overall look and feel; at 1 pound 7 ounces, it fell in the middle of the pack weight-wise.

The Belkin case has five rows of keys, so you need to press the function button to access iPad-specific controls. There’s only one color for the backlighting, but you can adjust its brightness via a dedicated button to the left of the arrow keys. The backlighting was nice and even, though not as refined as Logitech’s.

On the typing test, I averaged an excellent 61 words per minute, with a 99 percent accuracy rate — the best among all the cases I tested, Apple included. However, one thing I thought was a plus — the extra large touchpad — proved to be a bit of a detriment, as my hands brushed against it, frequently causing the cursor to jump and open windows by accident. I had to restart the typing test several times because I would inadvertently open another window by mistake.

Price: 1
Design: 7
Typing speed: 10
Total score: 18

Dancesoul Keyboard Case for iPad Air 11 inch

This is one of dozens of no-name Chinese brands selling iPad accessories; while the Amazon listing says “Dancesoul,” the spacebar and enclosed materials are all branded Wiwu. Still, the price is right, the build quality is sturdy, and the exterior of the case has a nice soft-touch finish. Outwardly, this keyboard case most closely mimics Apple’s own case, right down to the oval-shaped hinge and embedded USB-C port.

I also like that there’s a dedicated sixth row of keys for iPad-specific controls. The case is somewhat heavy at 1.2 pounds, but that’s right in the middle. The keyboard backlighting can be switched between seven colors. However, it’s not the brightest. Instead of a dedicated on/off switch, like on some of the other cases I tested, this one turns on automatically when you open the lid. It’s a nice feature to have.

Sadly, I averaged just 50 words per minute, with a 96 percent accuracy rate, the lowest score among the cases I tested.

Price: 7
Design: 5
Typing speed: 1
Total score: 13

ESR for iPad Air 11 Inch Case with Keyboard

ESR’s case has a unique, and really clever feature: the upper portion of its case can be removed from the keyboard section, and rotated to either portrait or landscape mode. The case also has a small slot to store a stylus, another nicety. The detachable section was very light, so it won’t offer the protection of a Zagg case, but won’t get in the way, either.

The exterior of the ESR case has a leather-like feel that’s very close to Apple’s own case, and the keyboard deck itself also has a nice soft-touch finish. At $112, this case fell in the middle of the ones I tested - it was neither the cheapest, nor the most expensive.

The backlit keyboard has five rows of keys; it took me a few minutes to get the feel for the keyboard, but I eventually averaged 61 words per minute with a 98 percent accuracy rate, which tied Belkin for the fastest overall score.

Price: 6
Design: 9
Typing speed: 10
Total score: 25

Logitech Combo touch

At $169, this is one of the most expensive options on the market (though still $100 less than Apple’s own case). Logitech’s case comes in two sections, an upper part that encases the iPad, and the keyboard. The two halves connect magnetically. It’s a neat idea — it’s easy to simply leave the keyboard behind — but it has one main drawback. In order to prop the iPad up, you have to extend a stand out at the back of the case, which takes up a lot more space than the other cases, which have stiff hinges. I couldn’t see myself using this easily on a plane, for instance.

Still, Logitech makes good use of all that room, adding a sixth row of iPad keys and the most spacious touchpad I’ve seen on a keyboard case. It’s even larger than the one on the official Apple case. However, I found that I was more prone to accidentally brushing part of my left hand against it, which made the cursor jump around.

It’s also the only keyboard that has an app - once installed, it updated the keyboard’s firmware. But, unlike Logitech’s gaming keyboards, there’s no customization options, so the app is kind of useless otherwise.

This keyboard has the nicest backlighting of the group — it’s bright and even — but the keys had the least amount of travel of the bunch. I averaged 56 words per minute and 98% accuracy, which was in the middle of the pack.

Price: 1
Design: 8
Typing speed: 5
Total score: 15

RuneLK keyboard

The RuneLK case looks like it came off the same assembly line as Belkin’s model; the two are nearly identical, save for a few minor things like branding and the font on the keys. It has a nice soft-touch exterior and a circular hinge that lets you tilt the iPad back about 130 degrees, similar to the other cases. Unlike others, it only has five rows of keys, so iPad functions, like adjusting the brightness, are part of the number row.

It only has one color backlighting — white — but there’s a dedicated key for adjusting the brightness, which I liked (other keyboards require you to press Function plus another button). The backlighting was nice and bright, too.

On the typing test, I averaged 56 words per minute with a 97 percent accuracy rate, which ranks in the middle of the pack. This case was also one of the heavier models at 1.7 pounds, but didn’t feel too weighty.

Price: 7
Design: 7
Typing speed: 5
Total score: 19

Tolpeiksoy Magnetic Keyboard Case with Stylus Pen for iPad Air 11-inch

Of the keyboard cases I tested, this is the only one that also came with a stylus — though there’s no loop to connect it to the keyboard, a strange oversight. Still, that’s another $80 you won’t have to spend buying the Apple Pencil. And, the company also includes a membrane cover for the keyboard to keep it clean. However, this was also the heaviest case I tested, at 1 pound, 8.7 ounces.

This case has a nice faux-leather type finish on the outside, one of the more pleasing ones I felt. Instead of it being wake-to-open, it has an on/off switch, but there’s no dedicated row of iPad keys - they’re added as functions with the number row.

You can choose between seven colors for the backlighting, but I found it a bit distracting, owing mainly to the fact that the keys were white, so the light bled through; I found that red turned up the best. I only averaged 51 words per minute, with an accuracy rate of 96% — the second-lowest among the cases I tested. Curiously, I had the greatest variation in speeds, going from a low of 43 wpm to a high of 62 wpm.

Price: 3
Design: 5
Typing speed: 2
Total score: 10

typecase Touch Keyboard Case for iPad Air

While all of the keyboard cases I tested let you use your iPad to type, they all require you to remove the iPad if you want to use it as a standalone tablet. Typecase’s unique swivel design lets you rotate the Air in the case and fold it flat against the keyboard, which is pretty clever. And, there's even a holder for a stylus, something you don't get with a lot of these cases.

However, the entire thing is plasticky — it was the cheapest-feeling of the group — and there’s a bit of flex in the keyboard itself. Considering its design, I was expecting this case to weigh the most of the group, but it was about average, tipping the scales at 1.3 pounds.

I like that the keyboard has a separate sixth row for iPad controls. The keyboard’s backlight color can be changed between 11 colors or just a plain white, and you can have it automatically cycle between the colors, as well as adjust the brightness. The backlighting was even and bright, one of the best from the group. Using the Speed Typer test, I averaged 58 words per minute with a 99 percent accuracy rate, which was one of my better performances of the group.

Price: 10
Design: 6
Typing speed: 8
Total score: 24

Zagg Pro Keys Connect

Zagg’s case was the heaviest of the bunch I tested, coming in at 1.7 pounds. However, that’s because Zagg’s case is rated for a 6.6-foot drop protection, so this could be the model for those who are clumsier.

Like the Logitech case, you can detach the keyboard. The two halves connect magnetically, but there’s one extra element to the Zagg case that makes it less convenient: you have to connect a USB-C plug into the iPad itself to power the case. Logitech makes things simpler by using the three metal contact points on the rear of the iPad itself.

Also like Logitech’s case, Zagg’s uses a rear kickstand to prop itself up, which takes up more desk space than the other models in this roundup. I do like, though, that there’s a small clip on the front where you can attach a stylus.

While the backlit keyboard and touchpad are very spacious, the keys themselves felt small and too smooth for my liking; my fingers often slipped, and as a result, I got a fairly middling score on the typing test, averaging 53 words per minute with a 96% accuracy rate.

Price: 2
Design: 6
Typing speed: 5
Total score: 13

Scorecard

Bottom line

Overall, the ESR case was my favorite among the iPad Air cases I tested, scoring 25 out of a possible 30 points. While it wasn’t the least expensive model, nor was it the priciest, and I liked the fact that it not only had a slot for a stylus, but also let me use the Air in both landscape and portrait mode.

If you’re looking for a budget model, the typecase tied the ESR for overall points; its design isn’t as refined, but it was still reasonably light, and let me swivel the tablet around a full 360 degrees. And, I notched my second-highest typing score. The fact that it costs less than $70 makes it even more appealing.

If you’re looking for durability, Zagg’s is the best option, though I wasn’t enamored with the design of its keys, nor how the iPad connected to the case itself.

While the iPad Air might not be the cheap productivity machine that is the MacBook Neo, you can still use it to get work done — and you don’t have to pay Apple’s prices to do so.

I’ve owned an iPad since 2022, and I’ll be honest, I haven’t gotten much use out of it — until recently. I just tested the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL that has turned my iPad into a gaming powerhouse and, honestly, has breathed new life into it. The Kishi V3 Pro XL is a powerful mobile gaming controller with fantastic TMR thumbsticks, four extra buttons, and clicky triggers, all packed into an ergonomic body.

Featuring full-sized triggers and thumbsticks as well as passthrough charging, this is the only controller you need if you’re a fan of on-the-go gaming. But is it perfect? Sadly not quite. The lack of rumble and haptics on Apple devices will make its premium price tag very difficult to stomach for iOS/iPadOS users.

To find out if this is the best mobile game controller for you, read my full Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL review.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL review: Specs

Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A gaming controller for iPads and USB-C tablets
• Who is it for? Anyone who enjoys gaming on the go and wants a comfortable controller
• How much does it cost? The Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL is available for $199 / £164
• What do we like? The ergonomic design, TMR thumbsticks, passthrough charging, and compatibility with many tablets
• What don’t we like? No rumble or haptics on iOS/iPadOS and the premium price tag

Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL review: The ups

From its ergonomic design and passthrough charging, to its powerful TMR thumbsticks and clicky triggers, the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL is an absolute must-have accessory for iPad owners.

Extremely comfortable and ergonomic

I’ve tested and used my fair share of mobile and tablet gaming controllers. Some have been good; some have been bad; and a few have been peerless in the comfort department. The Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL falls into the third category as it’s one of the comfiest controllers I’ve used — despite its big footprint.

The Kishi V3 Pro XL’s plate where the tablet sits measures 12.91 x 4.36 x 2.54 inches when the controller is outstretched, enabling it to accommodate a 13-inch iPad Pro. Even so, it doesn’t feel unwieldy to handle. It weighs 10.97oz without a tablet inserted, and with my iPad Air 10.9-inch slotted in, the controller weighs 1.73lbs, and I haven’t found it too heavy to hold. Having used the controller for a six-hour straight gaming stint, my hands didn’t feel fatigued or like they were cramping from the controller’s design.

This is also partly due to the ergonomic, chunky grips which feel similar to the ones you’ll find on the likes of the Xbox Elite Wireless 2 ($179). In fact, the Kishi V3 Pro XL feels like what you’d get if you sliced a Razer Wolverine V3 Pro ($199) down the middle and slotted a tablet in between the two grips. That itself speaks volumes about the Kishi V3 Pro XL as the Wolverine V3 Pro is undoubtedly the best premium PC game controller on the market.

I love the full-sized thumbsticks and triggers too which, again, feel like the ones on the Wolverine V3 Pro. I’m a big fan of offset thumbsticks as they feel more ergonomic to me (and something I always miss on my PlayStation DualSense). All in all, the Kishi V3 Pro XL is an excellent, ergonomic controller designed for all-day play.

Compatible with many tablets

If you already own an iPad or an Android tablet, the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL is the right choice for you. It’s compatible with the iPad Pro (11 and 13 inches), the iPad Air (11 and 13 inches), the standard iPad (10.9 inches), and USB-C Android tablets. You can connect it to your PC too, thanks to the included cable, and use it as a regular gamepad.

Included in the box are two sets of rubber bumpers for adjusting the controller to your device size, alongside two swappable thumbstick caps (one tall concave and one short convex). I found the rubber bumpers super easy to replace, and I’d recommend trying out the different sizes to ensure that your tablet fits snugly.

Powerful TMR sticks

The Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL boasts outstanding gaming performance, thanks to its TMR thumbsticks, mouse-like analog triggers, high polling rate, and more. I tested the controller with my iPad 10.9-inch, as I mentioned earlier, and played my favorite PS5 games via the PS Remote Play app. First, its polling rate can be set to either 1,000Hz or 4,000Hz, adjustable via the Razer Nexus companion app. Having tested both, I didn’t experience any latency issues or input lag.

Next, the TMR thumbsticks. Tunnel Magneto Resistance (TMR) sensors are superior to Hall Effect ones (which are also great in their own right), as they use weak electromagnetic waves rather than strong ones. This means that smaller adjustments and minute movements are picked up by the sensors, and the boost to accuracy in racing and FPS titles is certainly noticeable.

I tested this out by playing Need for Speed Heat, and I instantly noticed the performance difference between playing the game on my DualSense versus the Kishi V3 Pro XL. Thanks to the latter’s TMR sticks, I was able to not only maintain a straight line while driving, I could also go right up to the rear bumper of the car ahead of me and overtake right before making contact. This gave me a bit of a competitive advantage. I found the thumbsticks very comfortable too (I used the short convex caps), and thanks to how responsive they were, I was able to easily navigate down the winding mountain roads and turn tight corners.

I also appreciated being able to make minute adjustments in FPS titles, such as Cyberpunk 2077. With my sniper rifle pointed at a group of NPCs in the distance, I could move the right stick ever so slightly to choose the correct target, even though several of them were standing close together. It made me feel like I was in a James Bond movie, to be honest.

Mouse-like triggers and face buttons

Another thing I absolutely adore on the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL is how the triggers and face buttons feel. The controller features analog triggers so while they aren’t as customizable as Hall Effect ones on the likes of the GameSir G8 Plus ($99), I’d be lying if I said they didn’t feel darn good to play with.

The triggers, along with the face buttons, two extra shoulder buttons and back buttons, feel mouse-like to press, similar to the ones on the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. They’re extremely responsive and straight out of the box, they didn’t feel stiff at all. I jumped right into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to try them out. Each button and trigger press was instantaneously registered, and I appreciated the tactile feedback I got as well. I also found it handy that I didn’t need to press the buttons or triggers too hard for my commands to register. I was able to execute perfectly timed parries and dodges in Expedition 33, which helped me win crucial boss battles.

Drifting and braking in Need for Speed Heat was a walk in the park thanks to the triggers as well. They’re full-size which means that there’s plenty of room for your fingers to sit atop the longer R2 and L2 triggers. Again, I didn’t find it fatiguing to hold down L2 in drift challenges. I also appreciate the addition of four extra clicky buttons (two on top, two around the back). I remapped the M1 button on the back as the nitro (N2O) button so all I had to do was use my right middle finger to toggle it when I needed a speed boost, which freed up my thumb to remain on the right thumbstick.

User-friendly companion app

As I alluded to before, the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL is accompanied by the Razer Nexus app which is free to download on iOS, iPadOS and Android. Razer Nexus sports a clean user interface and is your one-stop shop for all the games installed on your device, and for launching apps like PS Remote Play, Steam Link, and even emulators. It’s easy to navigate and there are no intrusive pop-ups that deter from the experience.

Razer Nexus is also your hub for customizing the Kishi V3 Pro XL. Within the app — which can be quickly accessed by hitting the Nexus button located under the right thumbstick — you can customize the four extra buttons, remap the others, adjust the TMR sticks’ deadzone, swap between analog and digital triggers, and adjust the controller’s polling rate. Simple enough to do, and thanks to native compatibility, you can even adjust a few of these settings from the iPad’s Settings menu too.

Passthrough charging

Last but certainly not least, the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL features passthrough charging. It’s important to note that the controller doesn’t feature a built-in battery and is instead powered by your tablet, so passthrough charging is a must. This basically means that you can charge your iPad or Android tablet while it’s slotted into the Kishi V3 Pro XL. The USB-C port is located on the right grip.

Passthrough charging has quickly become a non-negotiable for me, and I hate it when a controller doesn’t feature it — the GameSir G8 Plus and the Scuf Nomad ($99), for instance. It’s also something we’ve seen on the Backbone Pro ($169) and the GameSir X5 Lite ($34) and, in all honesty, if Razer didn’t include passthrough charging at this price (more on that shortly) I would’ve been flabbergasted.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL review: The downs

Alas, the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL isn’t perfect. There’s no rumble or haptics on Apple devices, and the price tag is a little difficult to stomach.

No rumble or haptics on Apple devices

One of the most disappointing things about the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL, and perhaps a dealbreaker for some, is the fact that its rumble and haptics don’t work on iOS and iPadOS devices. You’d best believe it when I say that I let out the biggest sigh possible when I plugged in my iPad and there was no rumble in the games I played. Razer does state this on the official product page, but in small print that might get missed by most people as it’s accompanied by bold letters stating “Next-Gen Tactile Feedback” and “RAZER SENSA HD HAPTICS” in all caps.

This is a limitation confined to iOS and iPadOS (as the rumble works with Android tablets), but Apple added rumble support on iPadOS 15, so Razer isn’t off the hook here.

Even if it were an issue stemming from iPadOS or the PS Remote Play app, it would’ve been nice to have the incompatibility warning a little more prominent. I’ve seen many people complain about the lack of haptics on iPadOS on r/razerkishi and r/razer subreddits, and many have stated that they’ve ended up returning their Kishi V3 Pro XLs for this reason. I won’t lie, it’s certainly disappointing especially given that the controller is advertised as one designed for iPads.

But I’d also like to note that rumble and haptics aren’t found on that many mobile controllers. These are missing from the GameSir G8 Plus and the Backbone Pro, for instance, and are a limitation of iOS and iPadOS. I really can’t think of any other iPad controller that does feature haptics. This is a major pre-purchase consideration for you to chew over, and the only drawback of using the Kishi V3 Pro XL and other controllers with an iPhone or iPad. In the meantime, I’ve reached out to a Razer representative to get a clearer picture and understanding.

Costs a premium

While the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL is an excellent iPad controller, there’s no sugarcoating the fact that it’s quite expensive. It retails for $199 / £164 at Amazon, making it the most expensive mobile controller I’ve tested so far (at the time of writing). This makes the Kishi V3 Pro XL as expensive as the PlayStation Portal ($199). The standard, smaller Kishi V3 Pro model designed for smartphones is a little cheaper at $149, but is the $50 price difference justified, especially when rivals like the GameSir G8 Plus ($99) are available for far less?

But the Kishi V3 Pro XL doesn’t have many other competitors. Most other controllers compatible with the iPad take the shape and form of your regular gamepad, like the PlayStation DualSense (which works just fine with the iPad). The biggest difference is, of course, the fact that you need to prop your iPad up on a table to use a standard gamepad, which you don’t need to do with the Kishi V3 Pro XL. It is, then, perhaps justified that the controller costs so much, but the fact that rumble and haptics don’t work as intended leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL review: Verdict

Razer knows how to make a good gaming peripheral, and the Kishi V3 Pro XL is one of the best iPad accessories you can buy today, especially if you’re a gamer. The controller is ergonomically designed with full-size thumbsticks and triggers, making it perfect for all-day gaming. Passthrough charging also means that you don’t have to worry about your tablet running out of charge mid-gaming.

I love the TMR thumbsticks and mouse-like analog triggers and extra buttons. They’re all highly responsive in FPS, racing and RPG titles, and they can be customized via the user-friendly app too. But is all of this worth nearly $200, especially when there’s no haptics or rumble on Apple devices? Kinda. The Kishi V3 Pro XL has carved out a niche for itself, and if it’s an ergonomic iPad mobile game controller you need, it’s really the only one to get.

Apple announced a bunch of incredible new hardware at the start of the year, including the iPad Air M4 and the $599 MacBook Neo. But there was one rumored device that never made an appearance — the entry-level iPad 12. Those of you eagerly anticipating a new version of Apple's cheapest tablet are in luck; it sounds like it's still on the way.

We know that thanks to accessory-maker ESR Tech, which posted a listing for an iPad-12 compatible screen protector (via GSMArena). The listing has since been removed, but it specifically referred to the tablet as the iPad 11" (A18) 2026, so it's absolutely clear which version of the device this screen protector was for. The iPad 11 was released last year and was powered by the A16 chipset, for reference.

The listing did confirm that the new model has the same dimensions as the iPad 11, so you'd be forgiven for not being able to tell the difference between the two. However, apparent confirmation that the tablet will feature an A18 chip is going to dampen all the rumors suggesting the iPad 12 would have an A19 chip.

There's not a whole lot more the listing can tell us, but the fact that this page has gone up — even accidentally — might suggest that the iPad 12 launch isn't very far away. The only question is when? Mark Gurman at Bloomberg claims that the tablet is "coming soon" and could launch alongside the iPad mini 8. Sadly, this vague release window doesn't tell us much about when to expect either device.

Since the iPad 12 isn't a product that's high-profile enough to warrant a dedicated Apple event, it means the tablet could literally drop at any time. We're just going to have to be patient and see what happens, and whether Apple will deliver either tablet before WWDC 2026 in June.