Apple is no longer the top dog in the smartphone market, in one respect at least. The company has dropped from joint top to second place in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) study.

In a new report published earlier this week, the ACSI reports that Apple has dropped one point for overall cellphone satisfaction, from 81 percent in 2025 to 80 percent this year. Samsung, meanwhile, remains at 81 percent, which means it no longer has to share the top spot. This is the first time since the 2020-2021 study, when the Galaxy S20 leapfrogged the iPhone 11 series, that Apple doesn’t have a share of the No. 1 position.

Google and Motorola sit in joint third in the 2026 study. Each registered a score of 77 percent and a two-point increase on the previous year, thereby closing the gap on Apple and Samsung. The market as a whole saw a general rise in customer satisfaction, with companies outside the top four seeing a rise from 68 percent to 73 percent, and the industry average (including the leaders) rising from 78 percent in 2025 to 79 percent this year.

• Samsung: 81% (no change from 81% in 2025)
• Apple: 80% (down from 81%)
• Google: 77% (up from 75%)
• Motorola (Lenovo): 77% (up from 75%)
• All others: 73% (up from 68%)

The changes are small, so it would be unwarranted to claim Apple’s reputation has suffered significantly in the past 12 months, nor that Samsung, Google, or Motorola are doing anything particularly special that incoming CEO John Ternus will need to worry about. But one possible explanation for Apple’s slight fall is the inclusion, for the first time, of “AI feature performance” as a metric for satisfaction.

Even in the full published study, the ACSI doesn’t give each company’s individual scores for each metric: the numbers are separated by company, or by category, but not by both at once. However, we can see that customers in general are enjoying AI features, since they received a satisfaction rating of 85 percent, the joint third-highest score out of 20 categories. (Calling and texting each got 86 percent; warranty coverage was the lowest at 80 percent, with call center satisfaction avoiding the bottom spot with a surprisingly respectable 81 percent.)

We also know that Apple has had issues delivering the AI features that today’s phone customers expect, nor indeed the ones it explicitly promised in adverts. The iPhone 16 was sold as “Built for Apple Intelligence” but launched before Apple Intelligence was available; one would imagine that the many customers who bought that device in 2024 and still have it today would not have given a very high score in the AI category.

Still, the good news is that Apple has a prime opportunity next month to win customers back. All eyes will be on the WWDC keynote on June 8 to see if Apple can fix Siri, at the very least. Bookmark our WWDC topic zone to keep up with the latest news and rumors.

Best Prices Today: Activo Scoop

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Astell & Kern is a well-known name in the high-end Hi-Fi market, but it recently launched a more affordable brand called Activo, aimed at buyers on a tighter budget. Its latest release is the Scoop, a set of wired in-ear headphones designed for Hi-Fi and lossless listening. Despite the lower price, the Scoop still delivers A&K’s strong audio pedigree, along with versatile connectivity and a generous set of accessories. A&K even describes the Scoop as an IEM (In-Ear Monitor), a term commonly used for high-quality earbuds designed for accurate audio reproduction.

Our review covers the Scoop’s sound quality, comfort, design, accessories and multi-device connectivity, while assessing whether its audio performance outweighs the lack of wireless and noise-cancelling features.

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Design and connectivity

The first thing you notice is the sturdy design of the Scoop, with chunky earpieces and a thick braided cable, which is also detachable. In fact, the cable itself is an impressive piece of engineering as – like many expensive Hi-Fi cables – it’s made of silver-plated copper wire, and uses ‘oxygen-free’ copper (OFC) that helps to reduce distortion that can affect the audio signal. 

The cable has a standard 3.5mm connector attached when you open the box, but you can remove this and replace it with either the USB-C connector that is included for use with computers and mobile devices, or the 4.4mm connector that is provided for use with high-end Hi-Fi equipment (although a proper manual or quick-start guide would help for new users who aren’t familiar with this type of design). 

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How comfortable is Scoop to wear?

The earpieces are a little on the chunky side, but A&K says that the design was inspired by the shape of a pebble that has been worn smooth over time in order to fit comfortably into your ear. And, as with many IEMs, that cable is designed to hook upwards and then wrap back behind your ear, rather than just hanging straight down from the ears. 

This means that the Scoop isn’t the most elegant set of earbuds you’ll ever wear, but hooking the cable over your ears like that does help to keep the earbuds in place, especially if you’re out jogging or exercising.

I was also pleased to find that the Scoop includes three sets of silicon eartips (S/M/L) along with three sets of memory foam eartips as well, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting a firm and comfortable fit for the earpieces. There’s also a sturdy carrying case included to provide extra protection when you’re travelling. That set of accessories is very good value at this price, but the real strength of the Scoop lies with the internal design of the earpieces.

How does the Scoop sound?

One reason why the earpieces on the Scoop are larger than many of their rivals is that they boast a ‘hybrid’ design that uses no less than five separate drivers in each earpiece. There are three conventional ‘dynamic’ drivers – which are the most common type of driver found in affordable earbuds such as this – along with two ‘balanced armature’ drivers, which are more typically found in expensive Hi-Fi headphones. That combination is designed to provide strong sound quality right across the frequency range, with the dynamic drivers handling the mid-range and bass, while the more precise balanced armature drivers handle the higher frequencies.

That hybrid approach paid dividends when I used the Scoop’s USB-C connector to plug into Apple Music on my iPad Air. The electronic bass effects on You Should See Me In A Crown by Billie Eilish land with real weight, pulsing with an ominous energy as Billie whispers – “watch me make ‘em bow”. The bass doesn’t get out of control though, and the Scoop captures the breathy whisper in Billie’s voice, as well as the manic ticking of percussion that sounds like someone having a panic attack in the background. 

The Scoop also works a treat on the head-banging guitar work of Brian May on the aptly titled Hammer To Fall – Headbanger Mix by Queen. There’s that same weighty sound again, this time on the opening drums and crashing cymbals, before May launches into the track’s crunchy riff. The Queen harmonies ring out clear and loud as they yell – “what the hell we fighting for?” – but the Scoop really comes into its own with May’s shrieking, wailing guitar on the final extended solo, underpinned by riffing power chords and the driving bass and drums. Some people might find the treble a little in-your-face but I’ve always loved the screechy sound of Brian May’s home-made guitar and the Scoop can handle dance music and heavy rock with equal authority.

Should you buy the Activo Scoop?

If you want wireless features such as noise cancellation or AI-powered tools like live translation, the Activo Scoop won’t be the right fit. However, for listeners focused purely on sound quality, these affordable wired earbuds deliver impressive hi-fi audio, powerful bass and crisp detail, along with excellent connectivity options and a generous bundle of accessories that make them outstanding value.

Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice President in charge of running Apple Music, recently gave an interview to Billboard magazine in which he discussed a wide range of topics, including the often thorny issue of lossless audio. 

Following that interview, several media outlets reported Schusser as having said that “most people can’t tell the difference” when listening to lossless or high-res audio. In fact, what he really said was – “lossless actually doesn’t work over Bluetooth. When you have a wireless connection, lossless doesn’t actually work”. So Schusser was really pointing out the limitations of using Bluetooth for wireless headphones, rather than saying that lossless audio doesn’t matter at all (or, as suggested by some outlets, that it only matters to pretentious audiophiles who like to pretend that they can hear the difference). 

It’s true that Bluetooth does require audio files to be heavily compressed for wireless transmission, and that compression can affect the audio quality even when using really expensive Bluetooth headphones such as Apple’s own AirPods Max. But, of course, that completely overlooks the option of using traditional wired headphones instead. Wired headphones do have the ability to play ‘lossless’ or ‘high-res’ audio that retains all the clarity and detail of the original recording – and, of course, many of the best Bluetooth headphones now provide a wired option as well. 

However, most computers and mobile devices aren’t designed for handling lossless or high-res audio, so a DAC – a digital-to-analogue-converter – can help your Mac, iPhone or iPad to deliver the best possible sound quality to your wired headphones.

Should you buy a DAC? 

Consider a DAC if:

• you use wired headphones
• you listen to lossless/high-res audio
• you want better sound quality from a phone or laptop

You probably don’t need a DAC if:

• you mainly use Bluetooth headphones
• you stream compressed audio only
• convenience matters more than audio quality

Best starting point: Portable DAC under $100/£100

What Does A DAC actually improve?

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As the saying goes – it does what it says on the tin. A digital-to-analogue-converter (DAC) accepts a digital audio signal from any digital device, such as a Mac, iPhone or iPad, and then converts it into analogue sound waves that can be played through your headphones for your old-fashioned analogue ears.

Modern mobile devices, such as the iPhone and iPad, have long since ditched the traditional 3.5mm headphone socket, so when they’re not using Bluetooth they can only output digital audio via their USB-C connectors. Most Mac models do still have a 3.5mm audio socket, but their internal audio circuitry is fairly basic and can be prone to electrical interference from other components within the Mac, so it’s still a good idea to switch to the Mac’s USB-C interface for digital audio output.

That’s where the DAC steps in. A DAC will provide a USB-C interface for connecting to your Mac, iPhone or iPad. Its specialised sound chips will convert the digital audio signal into high-quality analogue sound, and then output the sound via a 3.5mm headphone socket (and some DACs also provide 4.4mm and 6.3mm connectors for high-end Hi-Fi headphones).

Recent years have seen the arrival of many portable DACs that are specifically designed for use with smartphones. However, there are also larger DACs that are designed for use on the desktop at home or in an office, and these may also be powerful enough to drive a set of external speakers, as well as headphones.

Will you hear a difference with a DAC?

Anyone who owns a good set of wired headphones will benefit from the boost in sound quality provided by a DAC (it’s worth checking the packaging or technical details for your headphones to see if they mention high-res or lossless audio). That’s especially true if you subscribe to a streaming service such as Apple Music or Tidal, which provides music in high-quality ‘lossless’ or ‘high-res’ audio formats. A DAC with a built-in amplifier can also provide a kick in volume that’s great for exercise or a bit of air-guitar headbanging. Some DACs also provide filters and effects that you can use to boost the bass on dance music, or fine-tune the sound to suit your personal taste. A DAC that works with external speakers can also be useful for musicians recording their own music, or people who need to edit audio for video or podcasts.

Who Shouldn’t Use A DAC?

If you want the convenience of Bluetooth headphones that don’t have any cables to get lost or tangled up then a DAC isn’t going to help you very much – remember, “lossless doesn’t actually work over Bluetooth”. Cheaper wired headphones that aren’t rated for high-res audio may not benefit very much either – Apple EarPods, we’re looking at you – although our reviews of the best wired headphones show that there are still some high-quality headphones available at very competitive prices.

When does a DAC make the biggest difference?

Well, you need a good set of wired headphones to start off with, as less expensive headphones may not be able to reveal all the clarity and detail in your favourite tracks. However, you also need to make sure that you’re listening to high-quality music files that use ‘lossless’ or ‘high-res’ audio formats.

The term ‘lossless audio’ generally refers to digital music files that have the same sound quality as conventional music CDs, which store music in a file format known as 16-bit/44.1KHz. This means that the music was sampled at a rate of 44.1KHz and each sample is stored using 16-bit data files. Any music above that level is known as ‘high-res audio’, and should be superior to ‘lossless’ or CD-quality as it comes close to the quality of the original master recordings created in the studio. The most common high-res formats available on Apple Music and other streaming services are 24-bit/48KHz, followed by 24-bit/96KHz and 24-bit/192KHz, although my own high-res playlists on Apple Music largely seem to consist of tracks in the 24-bit/96KHz format.

Many people use wired headphones with a DAC at home, so that they can sit back and enjoy their favourite music with the highest possible sound quality. But they may then switch to more convenient wire-free Bluetooth headphones when they leave home. There are a number of DACs that are specifically designed for gaming, and for use with wired gaming headsets. Some of the more powerful desktop DACs can also work with external speakers too, so they’re a good option for recording or audio-editing work, as well as simply enjoying music at home.

And, thanks to the all-conquering iPhone, there are also lots of portable DACs now available that are specifically designed for use with smartphones, tablet and laptops. These can be really useful if you want to relax on a long journey, or chill out on a beach. Just remember that lossless and high-res audio files can be very large, so you should download your lossless music onto your mobile devices before leaving home so that you don’t use up all your expensive mobile broadband data.

Which DAC features actually matter?

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High-quality audio is, of course, the main reason to buy a DAC, but there are lots of other features that you should consider as well. Most DACs use a USB-C interface to connect to your computer or mobile devices, but some may also include a Lightning adaptor for older iPhone and iPad models that still use Lightning (but check on this before buying). 

The most important decision is probably deciding whether you want a portable DAC that you can carry around with your iPhone or laptop, or a larger, desktop DAC that sits on your desk at home or in your office. Most portable DACs draw power from your mobile devices via their USB-C port, although they don’t need a lot of power so they shouldn’t drain your iPhone or laptop battery too quickly. However, there are some that do have a rechargeable battery in order to avoid draining the power from your mobile devices. A rechargeable battery can provide more power too, allowing the DAC to act as an amplifier to boost the volume of your headphones as well as the sound quality.

Desktop DACs are typically larger and generally run off mains power, although some can also draw power from the USB-C port on a desktop Mac or MacBook laptop if necessary. That extra size and power allows them to provide additional features, such as multiple connectors for different types of headphones, or connectors for external speakers. Many desktop DACs also include an amplifier that can provide more power for your headphones, or may even be powerful enough to drive a beefy set of external speakers. And for real Hi-Fi buffs there are even DACs that can support ultra-high-res audio formats up to 32-bit/768KHz.

How Much Do DACs Cost?

A few years ago, DACs were expensive, specialist devices that were mainly aimed at well-heeled Hi-Fi buffs, but the arrival of mass-market smartphones and streaming services changed all that. There are now quite a few portable DACs available for under $100/£100, although some of the more expensive portable models can cost around $400/£400.

Desktop DACs are more varied, depending on the range of features they provide, and there are specialist Hi-Fi DACs that cost several thousand dollars. But, for first-time users, there are some affordable desktop DACs that start at around $100/£100, with some of the more versatile models going up to $300 – $400/£300 – £400.

DAC buying checklist

Use this quick checklist to narrow down the right DAC for your setup.

1. iFi Go Link 2 – Best starter DAC

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The latest addition to iFi’s range of portable DACs is really good value for money. Priced at just $59/£59, the Go Link 2 looks like little more than a chunky cable that plugs into the USB-C port on your iPhone or iPad, and it only weighs 7.8g so you can easily slip it into your pocket or bag when you’re travelling.

Despite its compact design, the Go Link 2 provides really good sound quality, and enough power to get you motivated when you’re jogging or working out, and its USB-C interface will work with Macs and PCs as well as mobile devices.

2. Astell & Kern HC3 – Best portable DAC

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Astell & Kern was one of the first companies to offer portable DACs for mobile devices, and its mid-range HC3 is a versatile all-rounder.

Its sturdy aluminium casing only weighs 20g but is tough enough to cope with life on the road. It supports all the main high-res audio formats and includes both a standard 3.5mm connector, and a 4.4mm connector for Hi-Fi headphones.

It also works with headphones that have a microphone, either for taking voice calls or for a burst of online gaming with a headset.

3. iFi Zen DAC 3

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You’re spoilt for choice in the desktop category, but you can’t go wrong with iFi’s Zen DAC 3. It’s a combined DAC/amplifier with connectors for 4.4mm and 6.3mm headphones, with a 3.5mm adaptor included as well. There’s also a set of RCA connectors on the back panel that will allow you to use it with a set of external speakers for a really good desktop studio set-up. It’s designed for desktop use, but you can also power it via USB-C from a laptop, making it a great choice for anyone that needs a portable studio that they can take on the road.

The invitations for Apple’s next keynote have gone out, and, as always, we can start poring over the artwork and tagline looking for clues. What has Apple got in store for us? Something worthwhile, we hope, but the signs are a little worrying.

Earlier this week, Apple sent developers their invites for WWDC 2026, which begins on June 8. These feature the logo for Swift, Apple’s app programming language, in luminous colors on a black background, together with the customarily punning phrase “Coming bright up.”

As my colleague Jason Cross notes, these elements (along with the brightly glowing text in the original announcement email) are likely a hint at Siri’s widely anticipated interface overhaul, which is expected to include a glowing Dynamic Island during active use. And while that sounds pleasant enough, it’s worrying to think that even now, Apple may believe the problem with Siri is that it isn’t sufficiently eye-catching.

At the risk of repeating myself, Siri in its current form is an extremely poor voice assistant. It intrudes when it’s not wanted, turns a deaf ear when it is, mishears, disobeys, pronounces itself unable to perform simple commands, and generally lags behind the competition on both accuracy and range of features. It isn’t fit for purpose, and the most frustrating part is that it isn’t getting any better. Subjectively, in fact, it feels like Siri in 2026 is worse than at any time in its history.

Apple has been working on a new, improved version of Siri for years (we were told about a major overhaul at WWDC 2024, and work on the project will have long pre-dated that announcement), but this hugely important launch keeps getting delayed.

Go towards the light

It’s hard to understand why a company with such a wealth of resources could have fallen so far behind. Apple even got a head start in the race to build a functional chatbot/AI assistant, having acquired Siri five years before OpenAI even existed. The most plausible theory is that Apple has struggled to build an accurate LLM while maintaining its pro-privacy policies: AI, after all, needs user data to learn, and running a successful AI business calls for a, shall we say, flexible approach to data ethics.

Whichever path Apple chooses to get past this hindrance—the current approach seems to be buy-in models built by companies with less scrupulous privacy policies—which is an interesting way around the ethical side of things–it needs to act soon. The user experience with Siri is horrible, and the delay in its revamped version is getting ridiculous, not to mention costly.

Apple

But this is a targeted mission: a surgical strike, not a declaration of war. I don’t think the company needs to compete directly with rivals who’ve gone all-in on AI. It doesn’t, in my opinion, need to offer deep agentic AI or system-wise AI assistance. What it needs to do is fix Siri. For Apple, AI should be a means to an end, not a fancy demo to placate buzzword-crazed shareholders.

Is this what we can expect at WWDC next month? I don’t know. The optimist would point out that products that are repeatedly delayed are sometimes worth the wait. They would add that Apple’s invitation clues generally refer to only one aspect of the imminent event, and are sometimes so vague they don’t really refer to anything. Even if WWDC 2026 were slated to feature a 45-minute apology for Siri’s inaccuracies followed by a comprehensive demo of its new flawless performance, it’s unlikely the company would have taglined the event, “We’re so Siri.”

I’m trying very hard to be that optimist. Adequate or better Siri performance is the one thing I want from WWDC 2026, and it’s possible we’ll get it. But everything we’ve seen suggests that Apple is going to spend the entire keynote talking about new AI features presented in a new interface, and none at all explaining how it’s going to use AI to make existing functions work even half decently.

If you’d like to keep up with the very latest news and rumors as we lead up to the event, bookmark our WWDC topic zone. Fingers crossed, and see you on June 8.

At a glance

Expert's Rating

Pros

• Strong real-world malware protection
• Excellent built-in VPN features
• Minimal everyday Mac slowdown

Cons

• Weak phishing browser protection
• Very slow full scans
• Unreliable beta security tools

Our Verdict

Surfshark One+ is a good value for users who want antivirus, VPN, and privacy tools in one affordable package. It performs especially well on Macs with minimal slowdown, and the VPN includes advanced features usually found in premium standalone services. Its biggest weakness is inConsistent phishing and scam-site protection in browser extensions, which is the main reason it falls short of an Editor’s Choice recommendation, especially when competitors offer more reliable web security tools.

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Best Prices Today: Surfshark One

Surfshark One+ Antivirus is an all-in-one cybersecurity suite that combines antivirus protection, VPN services, identity monitoring, private search, scam alerts, and privacy tools in a single subscription aimed at home users and small offices. Building on Surfshark’s strong VPN reputation, it delivers solid malware protection and smooth macOS integration alongside features such as Alternative ID, breach monitoring, and secure browsing tools at a competitive price.

The standard Surfshark One package includes the VPN, Antivirus, Alert breach monitoring, Alternative ID, and Surfshark Search, while the higher-tier Surfshark One+ plan reviewed here adds identity theft coverage and data removal services.

In this review, we test Surfshark One+ Antivirus as a Mac security suite, focusing on malware detection, VPN performance, phishing protection, and overall system impact during everyday use. We also examine how well it integrates with macOS security features, whether its privacy and identity tools add meaningful value, and how its long scan times and unreliable browser extensions compare with competing security suites.

• Malware protection: Excellent
• VPN quality: Very good
• Mac performance impact: Low
• Phishing protection: Weak
• Scan speed: Slow full-system scans
• Best for: Mac users wanting VPN + antivirus in one app

How easy to use is Surfshark One?

Surfshark One+ Antivirus is generally easy to use, particularly for home users who want an all-in-one security suite without complicated setup or enterprise-focused management tools. Installation is straightforward, with clear prompts guiding users through permissions for full disk access, network extensions, and VPN configuration.

The interface is clean and well organized, and the Settings panel does a good job managing Surfshark’s wide range of features, including scheduled scans, VPN settings, notifications, content filtering, and account tools. The software also integrates smoothly with macOS security features such as Gatekeeper and XProtect, while features like custom scans, VPN server selection, and Alternative ID setup remain approachable for less technical users.

There are some usability frustrations, however. Certain settings require too much menu navigation, some setup dialogs lack clear explanations, and the antivirus module can occasionally become sluggish during scans. The browser extensions and several beta features also feel less polished than the core antivirus and VPN tools, giving parts of the suite a slightly unfinished feel.

Malware protection

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The Antivirus module is the strongest part of Surfshark One+ and performed extremely well during testing, catching and quarantining almost every malware sample almost instantly once Real-time Protection was enabled. Integrated closely with macOS Gatekeeper and XProtect under macOS Tahoe 26.5, it detected nearly 100% of the 130+ malware strains tested.

There were a few exceptions, including the XCodeSpy developer sample, which initially launched before Surfshark later attempted to block it using its Ransomware Shield feature.

Performance was generally solid, and custom scans of external flash drives were easy to perform, although the antivirus engine occasionally triggered the macOS spinning rainbow wheel during heavier scanning tasks. Full system scans of an internal drive could take several hours and are best left running overnight, while Quick Scans completed rapidly and proved more practical for routine checks.

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See how Surfshark One compares to the Best Antivirus for Mac apps we’ve tested.

VPN and privacy tools

Surfshark’s VPN client offered some pleasant surprises in that it’s not only functional and easy to work with, but it also offers a nice range of features, including standard geolocations, the ability to bookmark preferred servers, Static IP, MultiHop, and Dedicated IP settings.

The client performed well, streams well, and held a solid connection, and the only odd moment surfaced when it switched over to a server in Denmark when I had previously been using a server in Canada.

While it may not be as feature-rich as a dedicated VPN client, it works well and is good for road work.

Read our review of Surfshark’s VPN offering and our Best Mac VPN guide.

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Identity monitoring

Like just about every security package out there, Surfshark is more than happy to let you know when you’ve inevitably been hacked and offer services to support this.

A quick check revealed the 18 data leaks my primary email account has been involved in over the years. You can also click the menu to see exactly which data elements were leaked (i.e., your user name, password, address, etc).

The service offers credit card monitoring as well as ID monitoring, which can see if your social security number or other ID numbers have popped up across the internet.

Alert settings can be configured with monthly or quarterly leak reports, as well as to remove all your data from the Alert module.

Web and phishing protection

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This took a bit of digging around in the settings menu to set up the network extension, and the dialog windows don’t explain it perfectly, but it’s easy to set up filters for topics such as drugs, sex, gambling, hate speech, etc.

Once the filter has been created (I created a gambling filter), the software does a good job of filtering out the more obvious websites, but there were gray areas, and websites such as Kalshi, Polymarket, and some casino/gaming websites were permitted. The definition of gambling may be up for debate on Surfshark’s end, making the filter less effective than you might want it to be.

The Search feature centers around Surfshark’s privacy-focused search engine, which proved handy and offered a good, clean interface.

The only major downside to the search engine is that it doesn’t arrive at an overall number of hits for your search term, which has always appeared at the bottom of most search engine user interfaces. This leads to clicking on the right arrow after your initial search is complete to find additional returns, and feels like an easy-but-prevalent bug that needs to be sorted out with an update.

Following up on the ever-present business trend of identity theft, Surfshark’s higher-end subscription options offer Alternative ID, which allows you to create an alternate ID with an alt email for contact, or an alternative persona for social media, etc. You can have Surfshark randomly generate the information, or you can edit the false/alt ID yourself.

An alternate phone number can also be created and maintained for an additional $2.44 per month, although this option is currently only available to customers in the United States.

Browser Extensions

Surfshark has released browser extensions for Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, which tie in to your browsers and purportedly help avoid email and phishing scams.

This is, unfortunately, where things crashed and burned in our testing.

The Microsoft Edge browser extension works sporadically, but still lets you visit questionable websites without offering a warning. The situation became worse with the Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browser extensions, which allowed full access to all websites from my Gmail’s spam folder, save for the gambling websites that were being blocked by the test filter I had in place.

Extra Tools & Beta features

Extra tools include webcam protection, Ransomware shield, and Email scam checker, all of which are currently in beta.

The Webcam and Ransomware shield modules work well, with the Ransomware shield feature jumping in to help the antivirus elements out in a pinch.

Unfortunately, the Email scam checker is currently at a very hit-or-miss stage of its development as of this writing, and failed to block questionable websites.

Performance & system impact

Surfshark performed well during everyday use and ran quietly in the background without significantly slowing down the Mac. Background resource usage remained relatively light, and VPN, monitoring, and security services stayed stable during normal productivity tasks, streaming, and web browsing.

The software adds some load during startup, but not enough to noticeably impact overall system responsiveness. External drives were handled competently, with easy custom scans for USB flash drives and removable storage, though connecting a new volume could briefly trigger slowdowns while Surfshark indexed and analyzed the drive.

The main performance drawback involved occasional interface lag during scanning activity. At times, the antivirus module displayed the macOS spinning rainbow wheel while processing files, requiring a short wait before the interface became responsive again.

Value for money

Surfshark One+ offers good overall value by combining antivirus protection, a capable VPN, identity monitoring, and privacy tools at a lower introductory price than many competing security suites.
Compared with rivals such as Norton 360 and Bitdefender Total Security, Surfshark is generally more affordable upfront, especially on longer-term plans. However, those competitors currently provide stronger phishing protection, more polished browser security tools, and broader security feature sets.

Surfshark splits its subscriptions into two main tiers. Surfshark One includes the VPN, Antivirus, Alert breach monitoring, Alternative ID, and Surfshark Search. Introductory pricing typically starts around $2.49 per month on a 24-month plan, increases to roughly $3.39 per month on a 12-month plan, and rises significantly with monthly billing.

Surfshark One+ adds identity protection services and Incogni data removal tools. Introductory pricing generally starts around $4.19–$4.29 per month on a 24-month plan, with higher costs on annual and monthly subscriptions.

As with many subscription-based security suites, renewal pricing increases substantially after the initial term. Depending on the plan length and subscription tier, renewal rates can rise anywhere from roughly 30% to more than 100%, making the long-term cost worth considering before signing up.

Surfshark offers a 7-day trial, though a credit or debit card is required during registration, alongside a 30-day money-back guarantee. The software supports macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later and runs on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Full pricing details are available at Surfshark’s website here.

Should You Buy Surfshark One+ Antivirus?

Surfshark One+ Antivirus combines strong malware protection, excellent VPN integration, identity monitoring, and privacy tools into an affordable all-in-one security suite for home users and small offices. In testing, its antivirus engine caught nearly all malware samples while integrating smoothly with macOS security features like Gatekeeper and XProtect, all without causing significant day-to-day slowdown. The VPN and customization options are also standout strengths.

However, unreliable browser extensions remain the biggest weakness and the main reason Surfshark One+ misses out on an Editor’s Choice recommendation, as phishing and scam site protection proved inconsistent compared to competitors with more dependable browser security tools.

For the past 10 years, Apple’s iPhone strategy has been fairly predictable. Every fall, the Pro models take center stage with the best and most advanced features, while the base model offers features from previous Pro generations at a more affordable price.

But if the rumors are true, this year’s iPhone lineup will be quite different. For the first time, the Pro models won’t be the stars of the show—that’ll fall to Apple’s first folding phone. However, even though the iPhone 18 Pro won’t be the one to dominate the headlines, it’ll still be the phone everyone rushes to buy.

What the rumors say about the iPhone 18 Pro

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has repeatedly reported that the iPhone 18 Pro “won’t be a big update,” and will be comparable to the “S” phones of old. But that doesn’t mean Apple won’t include some notable new features. 

According to the latest rumors, both phones are expected to have a smaller Dynamic Island, giving slightly more screen space for content when no Live Activity is in use.

Britta O’Boyle

The new iPhone 18 Pro models are also expected to feature the A20 Pro chip, which will reportedly be the first based on 2-nanometer architecture. Apple has also been working on a new generation of its own 5G modem with ultrawideband support, which should arrive in the Pro models for the first time.

These improvements combined should result in better performance and longer battery life for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, as both the A20 Pro chip and the C2 modem will be more efficient and consume less power.

We also expect a new Cherry Red color option, a main camera lens with a variable aperture for more precise control, and a slight change to the glass cutout on the back. Other than that, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to look a lot like its predecessor. It’s unlikely to feel like a must-upgrade for anyone coming from the iPhone 17 Pro.

Foundry

What about the rest of the lineup?

Apple’s fall event may look a lot different this year. As part of a major overhaul of its iPhone launch schedule, Apple may hold back the launch of both the base iPhone 18 and the iPhone Air 2 until the first half of 2027, rather than the fall of 2026. An upgraded iPhone 18e is also expected in 2027.

But you shouldn’t expect much from the base iPhone 18 either. Rumors suggest it will feature the faster and more efficient A20 chip, an upgrade from 8GB to 12GB of RAM (which should improve AI performance), and a few other minor enhancements.

When it comes to the iPhone Air, rumors are uncertain whether Apple will release a follow-up this generation. But if they do, Apple will reportedly correct two of its biggest issues with a larger battery and a second rear camera (likely an ultra-wide lens). Of course, it will also run on the new A20 Pro chip.

That phone will also reportedly arrive next spring. So what’s left for the 2026 event?

Britta O’Boyle

The foldable iPhone

The star of this year’s show will reportedly be Apple’s first foldable iPhone. While foldable devices are nothing new on the market, this will be the first time Apple embraces such technology in its products.

According to multiple reports, the iPhone Fold (or whatever Apple decides to call it) will have a 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded, making it look very much like an iPad mini. The device will also feature an external 5.5-inch display designed for use when folded.

To take advantage of the new form factor, Apple is likely to introduce many new iOS features exclusive to its foldable iPhone. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that Apple engineers have been working on a multitasking system very similar to Split View on the iPad, which allows users to run two apps side by side. Elsewhere, the device will feature a Touch ID-enabled power button instead of Face ID, and only two rear cameras. 

Still, if the rumors are correct, this will likely be one of the biggest announcements for the iPhone lineup in recent years. It’s not hard to imagine that all eyes will be on the iPhone Fold. For Apple, that attention may be the whole point.

Huawei

The iPhone 8 all over again

As with any new Apple device, fans are going to flock to Apple stores to be the first to get their hands on one. However, analysts suggest that Apple may not be able to meet initial demand for the iPhone Fold due to how complex the device is to manufacture.

Because of this, some believe that although it will be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Fold in September, the foldable phone might not be available until later in the year, possibly shipping as late as November or December. While this is certainly disappointing for those eager to buy the iPhone Fold, it wouldn’t be the first time Apple has introduced a radically new iPhone that arrived much later than the standard upgrade model.

Back in 2017, Apple announced the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X at the same event. While the iPhone 8 was essentially a minor update to the iPhone 7 with a new color, a new chip, and wireless charging, the iPhone X introduced a full-screen redesign with Face ID and gesture-based navigation.

However, since manufacturing for the new iPhone was a challenge in 2017, Apple needed more time to deliver enough of them to stock shelves. That’s why the iPhone 8 hit stores in September while the iPhone X didn’t arrive until November. It still sold out almost immediately, as the iPhone Fold will almost certainly do, but it was the iPhone 8 that carried sales until the iPhone XR arrived in 2018.

Foundry

A different kind of iPhone moment

That said, there’s a key difference between 2017 and now. Back then, the iPhone X represented the future of the iPhone, with the iPhone 8 quickly starting to look like outdated technology. It only took a year for the other iPhone models to adopt the same all-screen design with Face ID.

Although the idea of a foldable iPhone sounds much more exciting than yet another version of the iPhone Pro, it is unlikely to replace the idea of an iPhone for everyone.

First, there’s the cost factor. Rumors suggest that the iPhone Fold could start at $1,999. That’s significantly more than the current iPhone 17 Pro, which starts at $1,099. And even if it were cheaper, there are still other trade-offs that will make the foldable iPhone a niche product. Not everyone really feels the need to carry a mini tablet in their pocket, and not everyone is willing to give up features like better cameras or Face ID just to have a foldable phone.

The iPhone 18 Pro may not be the most exciting iPhone this year, but it will likely remain the one most people actually buy. It’s the safer choice, the more mature product, and the one that delivers consistent improvements without major compromises.

Of course, things may change in the future, especially as foldable display technology continues to improve. I’m excited to see what Apple will show the world with its first foldable iPhone, but I’ll probably be one of those who’ll still be happy buying another iPhone Pro.

At a glance

Expert's Rating

Pros

• Recharge score winners (5K and 10K)
• Super slim (5K and 10K)
• Built-in USB-C cable (10K model)
• 30W wired charging (10K model)

Cons

• Faster 25W wireless power banks available
• Basic power display

Our Verdict

Whether you are after winning battery performance or close-to-unrivalled slimness, the Ugreen MagFlow Air magnetic wireless power bank range is one you simply must Consider.

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Ugreen’s MagFlow Air range of magnetic wireless power banks just came in for review. This range of magnetic wireless power banks combine record-setting real-world battery performance with ultra-slim designs, making them more efficient and portable than most MagSafe-style rivals.

• Get the 5K model if you want the thinnest, lightest everyday backup battery.
• Choose the 10K if you need more charging capacity, faster wired charging, and better travel versatility.

We test every power bank that enters the Macworld Lab, recharging a spent iPhone in multiple separate tests to reach a recharging score to compare the best.

The recharge score isn’t everything we look for in a power bank. We also rate wireless charging speed, input power to see how fast the power bank can be recharged itself, physical thinness and weight, battery monitor display, and features such as extra USB ports and integrated USB-C cables.

Ugreen’s MagFlow Air range of magnetic wireless power banks offers the highest-ever scores for 5000mAh (5K) and 10000mAh (10K) battery packs.

Power bank specs

Simon Jary

MagFlow Air 10K

• Capacity: 39.2Wh (10000mAh)
• Input charger: USB-C (30W)
• Output charger: Wireless (15W) & USB-C (30W)
• Macworld Recharge Test Score: 208%
• Weight: 7.55oz (214g)
• Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.7 x 0.53 inches (112 x 70 x 13.9mm)
• Colors: Gray, Blue, White

Simon Jary

MagFlow Air 5K

• Capacity: 19.6Wh (5000mAh)
• Input charger: USB-C (20W)
• Output charger: Wireless (15W) & USB-C (20W)
• Macworld Recharge Test Score: 90%
• Weight: 4.48oz (127g)
• Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.7 x 0.53 inches (105 x 70 x 8.6mm)
• Colors: Gray, Blue, White

Performance

We must start with performance as this is one of the areas where the Ugreen MagFlow Air is a triumph.

We run down our test iPhone 16 Pro to 0% and clamp on the power bank until it reaches 100% or as close as it can make it. If there’s still power left, we wait till the iPhone is back to zero and go again.

The Ugreen MagFlow Air 10K made it to 100% twice over and eked out another 8% on the third charge. That gives it a Macworld Recharge Score of 208% (100%+100%+8%).

Before this test, our top-scoring 10K power bank (the 15W EcoFlow RAPID 10K) reached 190%, with an average score for 10K battery packs of 165%. That makes the MagFlow Air 10K not far off 10% faster than the closest scorer in our tests.

The MagFlow Air 5K also scored highest in its category, although not by such as high margin. It scored 90%, in comparison to the previous high scorer BMX SolidSafe Air that reached 89%—close enough to go either way depending on environmental factors such as temperature.

Both are outstanding, though, as the average Macworld Recharge Score for 5K power banks is 77%.

Simon Jary

Capacity

10000 milliamp hours (mAh) and 5000mAh are two of the standard battery capacities (shortened to 10K and 5K) of magnetic power banks. Belkin makes an 8K power bank, but that’s very much an outsider.

The Ugreen MagFlow Air comes in these two expected capacities: 10K and 5K.

A more accurate way of measuring power bank capacity is in watt hours (Wh) rather than the less specific milliamp hours (mAh). Both are over average, with the 5K MagFlow Air rated at 19.6Wh against an average of 19Wh; and the 10K MagFlow Air at 39.2Wh vs the average 38Wh.

While above average the stated capacities are not so high that they alone account for the excellent performance in our tests. Some of that advantage must be down to other factors in the power bank construction.

Ugreen

Design

Both models of the MagFlow Air are impressively slim. Indeed, the 10K MagFlow Air (shown above), measuring 13.9mm deep is only a sliver thicker than the slimmest 10K power bank we’ve ever tested, the 13.7mm Kuxiu S4. The S4 scored an impressive 182%, but the 10K MagFlow Air blows even that out of the water. It should be noted that the S4 boasts 25W wireless charging compared to the MagFlow Air’s 15W—more on which later in this review.

Ugreen

The 5K MagFlow Air (pictured above) is 8.6mm deep, the same as the Anker Nano MagGo Slim that for a long time was the slimmest 5K power bank we’ve tested. Both, however, are made to look chunky next to the BMX SolidSafe Air at 6.8mm.

Both models of the Ugreen MagFlow Air are available in three colors: Gray, Blue, and White.

The 10K MagFlow Air weighs 214g, against an average of 223g for similarly sized power banks. The 5K model tips the scales at 127g vs the average 132g.

Some magnetic power banks—such as the EcoFlow RAPID and Kuxiu S4—feature a pull-out kickstand, which can be useful for handless viewing. This likely won’t be a deal-breaker but if it’s important to you, note that neither of the MagFlow Air models come with one.

Simon Jary

Power outputs

The MagFlow Air joins Ugreen’s existing MagFlow power banks. Curiously, the new Air power banks have a lower—and therefore slower—wireless power output of 15W vs 25W.

A 25W power bank can recharge an iPhone 16 or later from 0% to 50% in just over 30 minutes, compared to 45 minutes for a 15W power bank. iPhones 15 and earlier max out at 15W, so there’s no difference when charging one of these older phones with either a 15W or 25W power bank.

Simon Jary

The very fastest way of charging any iPhone is to connect with a cable rather than wireless, as that more direct connection is less prone to energy wastage. Magnetic wireless charging has got much more efficient and therefore quicker in the past year, but it’s still no match for the traditional wired method.

The 10K MagFlow Air has an integrated USB-C cable (7 inches / 180mm) and spare USB-C port, both of which support 30W of power output—so beating even 25W wireless anyway. You can still clamp the 10K MagFlow Air to an iPhone for convenience but slot in the cable for charging speed. Remember, though, that only the iPhone 15 and later host a USB-C charging port, with iPhone 14 and earlier still using Apple’s older Lightning port.

Users of those older iPhones can still use the built-in cable to recharge the power bank itself, again at a speedy 30W. It should take around two hours to get the 10K power bank ready to take out on the road again.

Ugreen

Only the Baseus PicoGo AM52 Power Bank has a faster wired connection, at 45W. The newer the iPhone, the more that watts matter. An iPhone 17 Pro Max might support up to 40W during the early stages of charging, while the 16 is happy with 30W, the 15 with 27W, and the 14 with 20W.

The inclusion of the 30W cable in many ways nullifies the lack of 25W wireless charging.

The 5K MagFlow Air doesn’t have the built-in cable and has a USB-C port rated at 20W instead of the 10K’s 30W. If you are not in a panicked hurry to recharge your phone 15W wireless or 20W wired is fine even if you own a 17 Pro Max.

Display

Most power banks display their remaining battery capacity with a row of four tiny LEDs, and the MagFlow Air models follow suit. It’s a fair way of checking the charge left, but it’s not a very precise one with each dot representing a full 25% charge. It might show three lit LEDs and you think you’ve got 75% left, but that may turn out to be just 50% a few minutes later.

Full digital displays showing the actual percentage are rarer but much more useful, and you can find such displays on the Anker MagGo 10K and Kuxiu S3 and Kuxiu S4 power banks.

If you are impressed with the capacity and slimness of the MagFlow Air, such as detail probably won’t deter you.

Price

The Ugreen MagFlow Air is priced at $59.99 / £64.99, with the 5K model at $44.99 / £44.99. At the time of writing, there were launch discounts available.

For their category-winning performance, these prices are more than reasonable, especially for the 10K model with its built-in USB-C cable.

The closest rival to the 10K MagFlow Air is the $79.98 Kuxiu S4 Power Bank, which is marginally slimmer, boasts faster wireless charging and a better display but is not as super-impressive on performance (it’s good but not this good!) and lacks the integrated USB-C cable. The S4 is based on safer, more durable semi-solid-state technology, but we also trust Ugreen’s products on safety and reliability.

Competition for the 5K crown is closer, coming from the semi-solid-state $54.99 BMX SolidSafe Air Power Bank that is skinnier and scores almost the same on performance.

For more options we have tested and reviewed the best magnetic wireless power banks.

Should you buy the Ugreen MagFlow Air Magnetic Power Bank?

With its unrivalled recharging performance (according to Macworld’s tests) in a super-slim case, the 10K MagFlow Air is a compelling option. Yes, it’s 15W rather than 25W but its built-in 30W USB-C cable can go faster still.

The 5K MagFlow Air is also one of the slimmest you’ll find and also is the current victor in our recharging tests.

Whether you are after winning battery performance or close-to-unrivalled slimness, the Ugreen MagFlow Air magnetic wireless power bank range is one you simply must consider.

We wrote recently about the minor reorganization of Apple under incoming CEO John Ternus. The big one is Johny Srouji being named Chief Hardware Officer. It’s an expanded role for the “father of Apple Silicon” that places him in charge of not just Apple’s chip efforts but all Apple hardware.

A new report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg details some of the shuffling around Srouji is doing for all the groups and teams that report to him.

It’s all really behind-the-scenes stuff that is of little direct conern even to most Apple enthusiasts. For example, the executive in charge of product design is changing from Kate Bergeron to two of her subordinates: Shelly Goldberg and Dave Pakula. Richard Dinh will continue to lead iPhone design. None of that should be especially meaningful to anyone who doesn’t work on those teams at Apple.

Srouji is also establishing a “Ecosystems Platforms and Partnerships” team as well. The whole point of all this reorganization is to move the people who make Apple’s in-house silicon (which now includes networking chips and modems) closer to the people designing the look and function of Apple’s devices. The goal is to move more quickly on future devices.

And that’s the key. Apple has been criticized lately, and perhaps rightly so, of being late to the party on important product and technology changes. Vision Pro came out just as the whole world was growing tired of VR. The company’s health efforts are stuck in a five-years-ago mindset in an age of AI-powered health and wellness coaches. Competitors are racing ahead on AI pins and smart glasses–Google and Samsung just showed off theirs at Google I/O.

Let’s not forget that Apple squandered its early lead on AI assistants with Siri, and fell years behind its competitors on generative AI…so much so that it’s relying on Google’s core technology to power it’s upcoming new Siri that will deliver features promised back in 2024 (among others).

It’s not that Apple is making bad products–hardware or software. It’s just making great yesterday products while the world is looking toward tomorrow. If you agree, you’ll be glad to see that apparently the new executive leadership agrees that there’s a lot more that can be done to get future devices to market faster.

The best time for a reorganization centered around getting future products to market would have been five years ago, but the second best time is today. Apple has a lot of exciting stuff in the works, if rumors are to be believed: smart home cameras, a home companion smart display, a tabletop robot, smart glasses, and smart pendant, AirPods with cameras to power new Siri experiences, touchscreen MacBooks, and more. These products stand a much greater chance of succeeding if they don’t languish in product development for another three or four years.

The third Tuesday of May is Global Accessibility Awareness Day. For the last several years, Apple has marked the occasion by revealing some of the accessibility features coming to its operating systems “later this year.” That means that, while we wait for the big reveal of iOS 27, macOS 27, and all the other big updates at WWDC on June 8, this is our first official look at some of the features coming with those updates this fall.

As you would expect, the new Accessibility features coming in iOS 27 lean heavily on Apple Intelligence. They include big improvements to VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, and Accessibility Reader, as well as on-device generated subtitles and a couple of new Vision Pro features.

Magnifier and Voice Over get a big update to Visual Intelligence. They can give a more detailed answer about what is in the viewfinder or the contents of an image. This is a good hint at the work Apple is doing on Visual Intelligence in general, as the same core systems are used to identify objects and text in photos and videos systemwide.

The Voice Control feature currently operates using a set list of discrete commands, but will evolve in the OS 27 updates to use natural language. You can describe what you want to tap, zoom, or scroll to not just by name, but by color or content. Again, this is a good look into AI features coming throughout the OS—it uses new AI capabilities to “see” and understand what is on your screen, and this will likely be a part of Siri and other features for everyone.

The Accessibility Reader now works on a wider range of content with more complex formatting like tables, images, and multiple columns. Again, Apple using AI to better understand and interpret what is on-screen.

The new OSes will be able to generate and display subtitles for any video, not just those with caption metadata. It can do this entirely on-device on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Vision Pro.

Those who use a power wheelchair and can’t use a driving joystick will appreciate the new Vision Pro wheelchair control feature. It uses the eye-tracking of Vision Pro to manipulate a wheelchair control interface that works with Tolt and LUCI alternative drive systems in the U.S. using either Bluetooth or a wired connection. Apple says it is working to support more wheelchair and drive systems in the future.

Some additional OS updates coming this fall are:

• Vehicle Motion Cues come to visionOS. Vision Pro will also support face gestures for performing taps and system actions, plus a new way to select elements with one’s eyes while using Dwell Control.
• Touch Accommodations provide a new way to personalize setup in iOS and iPadOS.
• Made for iPhone hearing aids pair and hand off between Apple devices more reliably, with an improved setup experience in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS.
• Larger Text support is coming to tvOS.
• Name Recognition, which can notify users who are deaf or hard of hearing if someone says their name, works across more than 50 languages globally.
• For sign language interpretation app developers, a new API supports users in adding a human interpreter to an ongoing FaceTime video call.
• Those with difficulty interacting with traditional controllers can now connect the Sony Access controller as a game controller with iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

All of these things are coming “later this year.” Apple doesn’t mention iOS 27, macOS 27, visionOS 27, etc. by name (these don’t officially exist until they are announced at WWDC in June), but that’s what “later this year” means.

If you’re looking for something available now, Apple’s announcement mentions that the third-party Hikawa Grip & Stand, a magsafe iPhone grip made for those who need extra help gripping their iPhones, is available globally at the Apple Store online.

Apple

If you’ve ever wanted an early look at new versions of Apple’s operating systems before they officially launch – and maybe even help shape them in the process – Apple’s beta program is worth considering. It offers early access to headline features, interface redesigns, and new tools months before release.

The initiative isn’t limited to developers. Public beta testers can also try upcoming software updates before launch, helping Apple identify bugs and test new features before the operating systems are released to everyone. There are two beta tracks available: the Developer Beta, which offers the earliest access but carries the greatest risk, and the Public Beta, which is generally more stable and aimed at enthusiasts and general users.

Both beta programs are free to access and a paid developer account is no longer required. However, installing beta software should always be approached with caution. Betas can cause crashes, data loss, app compatibility issues, excessive battery drain, and other problems. For that reason, we recommend avoiding installation on a primary device and making a full backup beforehand in case you need to revert to the current public release.

Apple typically unveils the next generation of operating system updates for iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, with developer betas arriving shortly afterward and public betas following later in the summer, usually around the beginning of July. With WWDC scheduled for June 8, it will soon be possible to start testing the beta versions of iOS 27 and macOS 27.

In this article, we explain how to join Apple’s beta programs and install the latest test software – and help you decide whether running beta software is worth the risk.

What is Apple’s beta program?

Apple

Apple’s beta program is a voluntary initiative that allows users to test pre-release versions of operating systems and software before they are officially launched to the public. Its primary purpose is to help Apple identify bugs, performance issues, and usability concerns through feedback submitted via the built-in Feedback Assistant app. By participating, testers help improve the stability and quality of upcoming software releases.

The beta process does not end with the major September launch. Apple continues developing “point releases” – such as iOS 26.1 or 26.2 – throughout the year to introduce features that were not ready for the initial release. The company typically issues official software updates roughly every six weeks during an operating system’s lifecycle.

Smaller updates focused on bug fixes and security patches, such as iOS 26.3.1, are often developed and released more quickly. In urgent cases, these updates may bypass the standard beta cycle entirely and roll out directly to users.

Developer Beta vs Public Beta: What’s the difference?

Apple offers two beta tracks across platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS:

• Developer Beta: Designed for software developers, this beta version allows early testing of app compatibility with upcoming system changes. Developer betas are released first, typically immediately after Apple’s WWDC keynote. Early access enables developers to prepare their apps for launch and integrate new technologies such as the Game Porting Toolkit 2 and AI-related frameworks.
• Public Beta: Aimed at enthusiasts and early adopters, the public beta is usually released days or weeks after the developer beta, often around early July. It is generally more stable, as it includes fixes for major issues identified during the initial developer testing phase. Public beta users can try major updates and new features months before their official release.

Is it safe to install Apple’s beta?

Installing beta software carries risks because it is unfinished by design and intended for testing. Bugs, performance issues, excessive battery drain, overheating, and even the possibility of “bricking” a device are all potential problems.

While anyone can sign up for Apple’s beta program, these pre-release versions are generally not recommended for primary devices or mission-critical data. For most users, the safest option is to wait for the official fall release, when the software is more polished, stable, and fully supported.

The Developer Beta is typically the least stable version, as it is released first and aimed primarily at app developers testing compatibility with new features and APIs.

The Public Beta is usually more reliable because it includes fixes identified during the earlier developer testing phase. However, it is still unfinished software and may contain significant bugs. For users eager to try new features early, the Public Beta is generally the safer choice, though anyone relying on their device for work, study, or everyday reliability is still better off waiting for the final public release.

Common issues reported with beta software include:

• Battery drain and overheating: Early beta versions can significantly reduce battery life and cause devices to run hotter than usual during everyday use.
• Performance issues: Users may experience lag, slowdowns, freezes, or general system instability.
• App crashes: Third-party apps may not work properly or could crash frequently due to compatibility problems.
• Bricked devices: A beta update can render a device unusable.
• Data loss: Software bugs may corrupt files or force users to perform a factory reset, potentially erasing data.
• Connectivity problems: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and syncing services can behave unpredictably or stop working altogether.
• Higher hardware demands: Older devices may struggle with the performance requirements of unfinished, unoptimized software.
• Security risks: Beta software can introduce new vulnerabilities or complicate the delivery of security updates.

Also note that Apple does not provide the same level of support for pre-release software as it does for public releases, which can increase security and stability risks.

How to join Apple’s beta program

Foundry

Joining Apple’s beta program is a relatively straightforward process, though the steps differ slightly depending on whether you want to enroll in the Public Beta or the Developer Beta.

How to join Apple’s Public Beta Program

The public beta is accessible to anyone with a valid Apple ID.

1. Visit the Apple Beta Software Program webpage and click Sign Up.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID and agree to the terms and conditions.
3. Select the operating system you want to test – such as iOS, iPadOS, or macOS – and follow the prompts to enroll your device.
4. Enable Updates:
   • On iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select the Public Beta.
   • On Mac: Go to System Settings > General > Software Update. Click the information (i) icon next to Beta Updates and choose the Public Beta.

How to join Apple’s Developer Beta Program

Apple now allows anyone with a free developer account to access developer beta builds.

1. To get a free developer account download the Apple Developer app from the App Store. Tap on Account, select Sign In, and use your standard Apple ID.
2. Follow the on-screen prompts within the app or on the Apple Developer website to complete the free registration process.
3. Once registered, enable developer beta updates through your device settings:
   • On iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select the Developer Beta.
   • On Mac: Go to System Settings > General > Software Update, click the information (i) icon next to Beta Updates, and choose the Developer Beta.

Is Apple’s beta program free?

Joining Apple’s beta program is free. While access to the developer beta was previously restricted to those paying a $99/£79 annual fee to join the Apple Developer Program, Apple opened access in 2023 to anyone with a free Apple developer account.

Do you get paid for being an Apple beta tester?

No. This is strictly a voluntary pursuit.

What to do before you install a beta

Foundry

If you decide to install a beta, it is important to take precautions to protect your data and ensure you can return to a stable version if necessary.

We advise that you:

• Use a secondary device: Avoid installing beta software on your primary iPhone, iPad, or work computer. If possible, use an older or spare device instead.
• Create a full backup: Back up your device before installing the beta so you can restore your data if something goes wrong. Mac users should use Time Machine, while iPhone and iPad users should create an archived backup on a computer.
• Consider a separate installation on Mac: Installing the beta on a separate volume, partition, or external SSD allows you to test the software without affecting your main system or files.
• Check available storage: Ensure you have at least 15GB of free space, as beta installers can be large and insufficient storage may cause installation failures.

Backups are especially important because downgrading from a beta often requires completely erasing the drive. Mac users should note that restoring from a Time Machine backup created on a newer beta version of macOS may reinstall that same version rather than reverting to the older OS.

What do Apple beta testers have to do?

Foundry

Apple beta testers are volunteers who help Apple refine its software before public release. Their primary role is to use pre-release software in everyday scenarios and report any issues they encounter.

Beta testers help Apple identify bugs, improve performance and stability, evaluate new features, and refine the overall user experience before the software’s official release.

Key responsibilities include:

• Reporting bugs: Testers use the Feedback Assistant app to submit detailed reports about glitches, crashes, and other “behavioral anomalies” that may not surface during internal testing.
• Providing user interface feedback: Testers share insights about confusing design choices, interface inconsistencies, or usability issues.
• Testing app compatibility: Testers check whether third-party apps function properly on the new operating system and report compatibility problems.
• Submitting diagnostics: Feedback Assistant may collect app crashes and error logs, screenshots, and diagnostic data to help Apple engineers reproduce and resolve issues.
• Evaluating performance and stability: Testers monitor system responsiveness, battery life, and reliability across different beta versions.
• Reviewing new features: Public beta participants help Apple understand how new features perform in real-world use and how users respond to them.
• Testing hardware compatibility: Beta software is often tested across different Mac, iPhone, and iPad models to ensure compatibility with current and upcoming hardware hardware features.

Confidentiality

Participants in the Apple Beta Software Program are bound by a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which prohibits testers from sharing information about pre-release software with anyone outside the program.

Users must agree to the NDA before accessing beta software. Under the agreement, testers are generally prohibited from publicly discussing the software, posting screenshots, or demonstrating unreleased features.

How to install the beta

Karen Kahn / Foundry

If you want to run the developer or public beta on your device, we have in-depth guides: How to get the macOS beta and How to get the iOS beta for more advice and details of the latest beta version. Here are some at-a-glance instructions.

To install the iOS or iPadOS beta:

1. Back up your device to ensure your data is safe.
2. Open the Settings app and navigate to General > Software Update.
3. Tap on Beta Updates (this may take a few moments to appear after registration).
4. Select either the iOS Public Beta or iOS Developer Beta.
5. Return to the main Software Update screen and follow the prompts to download and install the update.

To install the macOS beta:

1. Back up your Mac.
2. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
3. Click the (i) info button next to Beta Updates.
4. Choose the desired beta version (e.g., macOS Tahoe Public Beta) and click Done.
5. The beta should then appear as an available upgrade; click Upgrade Now to begin the process.

To install the watchOS beta:

1. Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
2. Select General > Software Update.
3. Tap Beta Updates and select the watchOS Developer Beta or watchOS Public Beta.

To install the HomePod beta:

1. Open the Home app on your iPhone.
2. Go to Home Settings > Software Update.
3. Select HomePod Beta Updates.
4. Choose the HomePod mini or HomePod (2nd generation) you want to install the beta on.

How to uninstall the beta

The process for uninstalling beta software depends on your device and whether the final version of the software has already been released.

Once Apple releases the final version of the software, leaving the beta program is relatively simple. You can stop receiving beta updates by disabling them in your settings, and the next available public release will install automatically when it becomes available. For more information, visit Apple’s Unenroll page.

Before the final release, however, reverting to a stable version often requires wiping the device and performing a clean installation of the latest public version of the operating system. Unless your data has been backed up in a compatible format, you may lose any data created while using the beta.

In general, removing a beta is more complicated than installing one, especially if you want to downgrade to an older stable version, which may require a full device reset.

For iPhone and iPad users, the method varies based on your current goal:

• To stop receiving future beta updates: If you want to stay on your current version but receive only official public updates moving forward, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select Off.
• To revert to a stable version (Before the final release): If you are running a beta (like the iOS 27 beta) and want to go back to the previous stable version (like iOS 26), you must completely wipe your device and reinstall the official software.
• To switch to the final version (After release): Once the official version of the software is launched, you can simply turn off “Beta Updates” in your settings. Your device will then prompt you to install the official non-beta update when it becomes available.

For Mac users, removing a macOS beta, follows a similar logic to iOS but involves different system tools:

1. Leave the Beta Program: Navigate to System Settings > General > Software Update and click the “i” next to Beta updates to turn them off.
2. Wipe and Reinstall: To immediately revert to a previous version, you must erase your Mac. You can use the Erase All Content and Settings option in System Settings, then use macOS Recovery to reinstall the stable OS.
3. Restore Data: After reinstalling the stable OS, you can use Migration Assistant to import your data from a backup made before you installed the beta.

For more advice about this process, we have in-depth guides on how to remove a beta from your iPhone and your Mac.

The ultra-thin iPhone Air definitely caught everyone’s attention when it was unveiled last September. It’s the thinnest iPhone ever made, and it gave us a clear glimpse into the future of smartphones. When the new iPhones hit shelves on September 19, everyone was talking about the iPhone Air.

Months later, the reality is that very few people seem to have chosen the iPhone Air over its siblings. People who own it sing its praises, it’s one of the few iPhones to get a no-strings discount, and its design has been hailed as one of Apple’s best. So why hasn’t it been as successful as the other models?

Perception vs perspective

There’s no denying that the iPhone Air is a truly impressive device. Although my daily driver is an iPhone 17 Pro Max, I’ve had the chance to spend some time with the iPhone Air on a few occasions (most recently at an Apple event), and every time I hold it in my hands, I’m amazed by how thin and light it is.

We’re talking about a phone that’s just 5.64 millimeters thick and weighs only 165 grams. By comparison, the 17 Pro Max is 3 millimeters thicker and weighs 233 grams. It’s impossible not to feel the difference.

Foundry

The Air is also stunning. The combination of its ultra-slim design and shiny titanium frame screams luxury. Yet, sales of the iPhone Air are far from being a huge success.

Apple itself doesn’t provide details on sales figures for each iPhone model. But during a call with investors last month, both Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple CFO Kevan Parekh revealed that the iPhone 17 lineup is the most popular in history.

A Chinese leaker known as “Digital Chat Station” recently shared a report providing some insight into iPhone Air sales, and the numbers aren’t encouraging. According to the report, Apple has been struggling to surpass the 1 million mark for iPhone Air units shipped. So far, the company has reportedly sold around 700,000 units of its thinnest iPhone yet, a shockingly low number for a company that moves some 250 million handsets each year.

Dreams vs reality

I’ve always dreamed of an ultra-thin phone. To me, a phone of the future would be a device with an edge-to-edge display that’s thinner than the iPhone 6. The iPhone Air is, in a way, the closest Apple has ever gotten to that vision.

Many people I know want the same thing: thinner, lighter phones. After all, as smartphones have become more powerful, they’ve also become larger, thicker, and heavier. But the overall failure of the iPhone Air has posed a question: Do people prioritize design over functionality, or the other way around?

Once again, the iPhone Air is impressive. But once you actually start spending time with it, you realize its limitations.

Britta O’Boyle / Foundry

Because it’s so thin, Apple was only able to fit a single rear camera on the iPhone Air. You can’t take ultra-wide or long-range zoom photos with it. That’s not a problem for people who are not into taking photos, but chances are you’ll eventually miss having extra angles for your shots.

The battery is also an issue. After all, there’s no way to fit a huge battery inside an ultra-thin phone. Although Apple claims that the iPhone Air lasts a full day on a single charge, the reality is that this only applies when you’re using your phone for basic tasks. People who work more intensively with their phones end up having to recharge the iPhone Air twice a day.

Also, there are a few other minor limitations, such as the Air having a mono speaker and lacking the vapor chamber found in the iPhone 17 Pro models, which allows the phone to run cooler for longer.

Given the poor sales of the iPhone Air and other thin phones, such as the Galaxy Edge, it seems that people still prefer functionality over design, or at least a balance between the two. Buyers aren’t willing to give up features for a fancy form factor in 2026.

Want vs need

These limitations aren’t a problem for everyone. There are people who really just want a smartphone to do basic things like send messages or browse the web. For those people, an iPhone Air works just fine.

But things get tricky when you start comparing the iPhone Air to the rest of the lineup. Despite all its hardware limitations, the Air starts at $999. That’s only $100 less than the iPhone 17 Pro, which has two extra cameras and a much larger battery.

Eugen Wegmann

Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, you can get the base iPhone 17 for just $799. For that price, you’re getting a phone with a 120Hz display, two rear cameras, and longer battery life. Plus, the iPhone 17 weighs just 12 grams more than the iPhone Air.

This makes the iPhone Air seem out of place in the lineup. It’s priced similarly to a Pro model, but offers fewer features than the base iPhone.

Giving up certain features is to be expected when you’re buying an entry-level phone like the iPhone 17e, which also has a single rear camera but costs $599 (and still has a larger battery than the iPhone Air). But with the Air, you’re essentially paying more just to get a thinner phone.

When you weigh the price against everything you’ll be missing out on, the iPhone Air becomes hard to justify.

Is there a future for the iPhone Air?

While the iPhone Air represents the future of smartphone design, the future of the iPhone Air itself is now unclear. If the latest reports are accurate, Apple may be rethinking the Air strategy, and it’s easy to see why.

For years, people said they wanted thinner, lighter phones. Apple delivered exactly that. But in doing so, it also exposed an uncomfortable truth: thinness alone isn’t enough anymore.

Eugen Wegmann

Many people now rely on smartphones as more than just communication tools, so compromising on things such as battery life or camera quality is simply out of the question. The iPhone Air asks users to prioritize form over function. And while that sounds appealing in theory, it’s a much harder sell in practice, especially at this price point.

Could Apple fix this in the future? Maybe. More advanced technologies could help Apple fit a larger battery or better cameras into its ultra-thin iPhone, or the company could simply make the Air slightly thicker so that it can pack more technology inside.

The iPhone Air is the dream phone. It’s the kind of device that gets people excited, that reminds us of how far technology has come. But when it comes time to actually spend $999, most people wake up from that dream and choose something more practical.

The Macalope has an idea for a new reality TV series: “AI Makeover”. No, it’s not using AI to give our nation’s millions of ugly teenagers much-needed makeovers. It is instead a panel of PR experts advising AI companies how to repair their reputations as garbage companies that produce garbage products and turn everything they touch into garbage.

You’d think they’d be doing this themselves, employing crack teams of PR hotshots to make nice with the public and try to represent themselves as just humble purveyors of the kind of technology people want to buy but, as the Musk v. Altman trial clearly shows, they are not.

“Musk v. Altman proved that AI is led by the wrong people”

Almost nobody in this saga seems worth trusting. Some of the most powerful people in tech seem temperamentally incapable of dealing with each other honestly. And if that’s true, it raises a bigger question: Why are they in control of a trillion-dollar industry that’s set to upend people’s lives?

This is exactly what the Macalope has been saying. The problem with AI is not a technological one. It’s a perfectly fine technology when used in the right contexts. No, the problem is that it’s run by people who are trying to will it into a new gold rush so badly that they’re fighting over the gold before anyone’s even made a profit.

According to a Gallup poll:

Seven in 10 Americans oppose constructing data centers for artificial intelligence in their local area, including nearly half, 48%, who are strongly opposed. Barely a quarter favor these projects, with 7% strongly in favor.

In response to this, Ben Thompson suggests (subscription link) AI companies just pay locals in order to offset the costs associated.

It’s at least a better solution than just trying to jam them in, but allow the Macalope to suggest that if an AI company rolls up to your town hall meeting and says it’ll pay you to put in a data center and you go for it despite all the warning signs, you’d better be darn sure to get the money up front. Ask Wisconsinites if they’re happy with how the state’s deal with Foxconn went. Answer: It went so badly that they jumped at the chance to have Microsoft put a data center in the empty Foxconn facility, even though we just established that everyone hates data centers.

It’s like nobody ever saw the monorail episode of “The Simpsons”.

Foundry

But the Macalope isn’t sure these are the kinds of people you should do business with. Remember, these are people who have already stolen copyrighted content and when confronted with this fact whine “But if we can’t steal it, we can’t make AI!”

Um… yeah.

“If you don’t let us crush the blood and bones of your children into a slurry in our vast rendering facilities that will be housed in your hometowns and, yes, may run off into your drinking water, how are we going to make Kinderslop, the human nutrition product of the future?!”

Maybe don’t! How about that?!

Getting paid to have a data center in your town might sound kind of like a good deal, but Elon Musk is sadly emblematic of the kinds of people who run AI companies. Do we really need to go back and review the number of things he’s promised over the years that he has not delivered on? The Macalope has never been told he has a word limit on this column but he suspects that would be a way to find out. Again, if Musk wants to pay you to put a data center in your town, make him hand you the money in cash, up front and then get into a car and be driving away at top speed before you sign the deal electronically.

Okay, the Macalope has been hard on AI executives, but he has some good news for them. If you’re an AI exec and you’re worried about that Gallup poll and the potential negative effects of future Gallup polls on your business, it may not be an issue for much longer.

“Gallup Begins Research on Simulated Responses”

One emerging approach uses AI-generated agents to create “simulated” responses that are designed to simulate how individuals and populations might answer survey questions.

Just… wow.

This is sadly on-brand for Gallup which recently said it would stop one particular kind of polling after 88 years, most likely because one person in particular didn’t like the results it was getting.

Certainly, nothing could go wrong in a poll on AI created using AI-simulated responses because it’s not like AI has ever taken drastic action if it felt threatened!

“AI system resorts to blackmail if told it will be removed”

[Anthropic] also acknowledged the AI model was capable of “extreme actions” if it thought its “self-preservation” was threatened.

So weird that AI has an image problem. Just inexplicable.

This brings the Macalope (finally) to an Apple-related point. For more than a year, people have been lambasting the company for making AI promises it didn’t deliver on, and, sure, it shouldn’t make promises it can’t keep. But maybe not delivering more AI into our lives is more of a feature than a bug.

USB-C and its Thunderbolt variant are the most up-to-date standards of the USB connector. They allow data-transfer speeds of up to 80Gbps, can fast-charge devices up to 240W, and conveniently fit in a port either way up—which means that you can wave bye-bye to the age-old USB guessing game of “Which way does it go in?”.

USB-C is no one-trick pony—handling data transfer, video output and power input. You’ll find faster variants of USB-C (called Thunderbolt 3, 4 or 5) on Macs. Each version of Thunderbolt is backwards compatible with USB-C so the adapters reviewed here will all work with modern Macs—from the MacBooks Neo, Air and Pro, through to the desktop iMac, Mac mini and Studio. USB-C’s 5-10Gbps speeds will limit some of Thunderbolt’s more impressive 40 to 80Gbps potential but for most people even 5Gbps is fast enough. If super-fast data transfer is one of your requirements, a number of hubs reviewed below do use Thunderbolt or 40Gbps USB4. Find out more in our Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 vs Thunderbolt 3 comparison and also our chart at the end showing all the ports of Apple’s recent Macs.

Apple

In general, an “adapter” works with a single port (such as USB-A or Ethernet) while a “hub” gives you multiple ports. If you require even more, then look for a “docking station” or “dock“. Docks usually come with their own power supply, while hubs require a separate USB-C charger if you need a power source. If you’re after a full desktop setup for your MacBook, look out for our recommendations for the best USB-C and Thunderbolt docking stations for MacBooks.

Apple sells its own range of USB-C adapters to HDMI, VGA and more, but they are overpriced and underpowered compared to the premium USB-C hubs and adapters we have reviewed here. We haven’t included the many much cheaper but lower-quality versions you can find online as we recommend only from trusted and tested makers.

Look for each hub’s video capability for connecting to external displays. Most support only one monitor, but some offer two—note that more than two usually requires an extra software install.

Passthrough power will likely also be of interest to MacBook users. 60W Power Delivery (PD) will work even for the 16-inch MacBook Pro (just), but more watts equals a faster charge.

Note that the ports on the MacBook Neo are USB-C and only one of them is properly data-ready at 10Gbps, with the other just for charging. Read more on how the MacBook Neo’s USB-C ports are different. As it has just one data port, a USB-C hub becomes a must for expanding the Neo’s potential—read our roundup of the best MacBook Neo accessories.

Below the list of our favorite USB hubs and adapters, we describe the types of ports you might require from a hub and what to look for in each.

Plugable 9-in-1 USB-C Hub Multiport Adapter – Best overall USB-C hub

Pros

• 9 ports inc Ethernet, 60Hz 4K display via HDMI
• 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A
• 125W Power Delivery (PD)

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• 9 Ports: 2x USB-C, 3x USB-A, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, UHS-II SD Card Reader, UHS-II MicroSD Card Reader
• Monitors: 1x 4K/60Hz via HDMI
• Passthrough power: 125W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

This 9-in-1 hub is bristling with top-end ports and—with an unrivaled 125W of laptop passthrough power—is a great match for larger laptops.

A seven-inch cable connects the hub to your MacBook at 10Gbps and a possible 125W passthrough charging when the hub is connected to a powerful enough USB-C charger—that’s the highest passthrough charging we’ve seen in a USB-C hub. Total power output from the hub to laptop and devices is 140W.

There’s one dedicated 10Gbps USB-C data port, HDMI 2.0 port with 4K 60Hz support, and both SD and MicroSD card readers at fast UHS-II media-transfer speeds. If you need to attach legacy devices there are two USB-A ports, also at 10Gbps. One of these can drive 7.5W of power to the connected device. There’s also a much slower 480Mbps USB 2.0 port that good for a memory stick or mouse/keyboard.

With its extra USB-A port and faster SD card readers, the 9-in-1 Plugable USB-C Hub beats our long-time USB-C hub champ, the Anker 555 8-in-1 USB-C Hub, reviewed below. If you prefer DisplayPort to HDMI the Anker 565 should be considered even with its slower card readers.

Plugable has recently released an even more capable version, the 10-port USBC-10IN1E, reviewed below. that is very similar to the 9-port hub but with 2.5Gb Ethernet and support for a single external display at up to 8K/30Hz, with the option of 4K/144Hz. Choose this model if you need the more pro-level ports, but it’s still a 10Gbps hub. Keep reading if you need a 40Gbps hub.

CalDigit Thunderbolt 5 Element 5 Hub – Ultimate USB-C hub

Pros

• 9 ports inc four Thunderbolt 5
• Five USB ports
• 80Gbps
• 180W total power

Cons

• Pricier than other hubs reviewed here

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• 9 Ports: 4x Thunderbolt 5, 2x USB-C, 3x USB-A
• Monitors: Up to 4x 6K/60Hz (M5 Max); 2x 6K/60Hz (M4/M5, M1/M2/M3 Pro/Max)
• Passthrough power: 90W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 80Gbps

Thunderbolt is USB-C on steroids, and Thunderbolt 5 is the latest, fastest and most capable version. Only the most recent top-level Macs have Thunderbolt 5 but it’s backwards compatible all the way back to USB-C so even the MacBook Neo can use it although only at its own 10Gbps bandwidth. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 Macs will be pegged back to 40Gbps, but the CalDigit Element 5 Hub is easily the fastest hub we’ve tested.

Measuring just 4.5 x 2.75 x 1 inches (114 x 70 x 25mm) and weighing a mere 7oz (200g) this hub is dwarfed by the Thunderbolt docking stations but is still a match for them if you add a few inexpensive adapters such as an Ethernet adapter or card reader, for example.

It can connect up to dual 6K or 8K/60Hz extended displays on Macs with dual display support over its single Thunderbolt connection. On M5 Pro the Element 5 Hub can support up to three extended displays and on M5 Max it can support up to four extended displays.

More of a mini dock than a hub and priced much higher than the more standard USB-C hubs reviewed here, it’s the ultimate hub but may be overkill for your requirements.m

Read our full CalDigit Thunderbolt 5 Element 5 Hub review

Anker 555 8-in-1 USB-C Hub – Great value USB-C hub

Pros

• 8 ports inc Ethernet, 60Hz 4K display via HDMI
• 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A
• 85W PD

Cons

• Can get warm during use
• UHS-I SD reader

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• 8 Ports: 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, UHS-I SD Card Reader, UHS-I MicroSD Card Reader
• Monitors: 1x 4K/60Hz via HDMI
• Passthrough power: 85W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

The Anker 555 USB-C 8-in-1 Hub is compact and powerful, offering greater specs than some of the other leading options on this list. It’s one of two similar USB-C hubs from the company, and we start with the best-value option.

The 555 offers two USB-C ports—one that supports 85W USB-C Power Delivery, while another supports data transfers up to 10Gbps. You also get speedy 10Gbps transfer rates through two additional USB-A ports, where many rivals max out at 5Gbps. 

The Anker 555 is special as it offers an HDMI port that supports 4K 60Hz resolutions, where most are limited to 4K 30Hz. For 4K 60Hz resolution, your device must support DP 1.4. This includes MacBook Neo, MacBook Air (from 2020), and MacBook Pro (from 2018) and iPad Pro (from 2018).

Also included are SD and MicroSD card reader slots. These are rated at UHS-I (104MBps) so not the fastest. If you transfer a lot of data via SD cards, look for a hub with faster UHS-II (312MBps).

The Gigabit Ethernet port is great for those times when Wi-Fi just won’t do.

It’s also incredibly light at just under 4.5oz (130g) and compact so you can take it anywhere. At $49.99 / £79.99 it’s hard to deny this hub’s value for money. In our experience, it does get warm with use but Anker says this is normal.

Anker

The higher-end $69.99 / £89.99 Anker 565 USB-C Hub, shown above, is as fast at 10Gbps plus offers eleven ports instead of the 555’s mere eight, and is equally lightweight at 4.8oz (136g). The extra ports are one USB-A and an audio jack, which isn’t a remarkable boost—but it does include a top-end DisplayPort 1.4 video connection as well as HDMI so offers greater video flexibility. If the inclusion of a native DisplayPort is important to you, then the 565 is a better solution (read our full Anker 565 11-in-1 USB-C Hub review) than maybe even the Plugable 9-in-1 reviewed above.

Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter – Best portable USB-C hub

Pros

• 7 ports inc Ethernet, 60Hz 4K display via HDMI
• 10Gbps USB-C
• 80W PD
• Magnetic
• Highly portable

Cons

• UHS-I SD reader

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Satechi

$59.99

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• 7 Ports: 1x USB-C PD, 2x USB-A, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, SD Card Reader, MicroSD Card Reader
• Monitors: 1x 4K/60Hz via HDMI
• Passthrough power: 80W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

Uniquely round and magnetic with a coiled USB-C cable, the Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 calls itself a “Multiport Adapter” but it’s really a hub, boasting seven ports, alongside its integrated 10Gbps USB-C cable. None of the ports are at the very top-end pro level but they are capable enough for most users and with a 2.55-inch (6.5cm) diameter and weighing 2.4oz (68g) it is easily pocketable.

It will clamp to the back of an iPhone—iPhone 15 or later to take advantage of the USB-C—or any surface using the included magnetic 3M Adhesive Ring.

Read our full Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter review

Ugreen 4-in-1 USB 3.0 Hub – Best budget hub for multiple USB-A ports

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Four 5Gbps USB-A ports
• 10W device charger
• Two cable length options

Cons

• Limited to USB-A ports
• No passthrough charge to host

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• 5 Ports: 1x USB-C, 4x USB-A
• USB-C speed to Mac: 5Gbps

If all you need from an adapter is the ability to connect a bunch of legacy USB-A devices to your MacBook, this simple adapter should do the trick.

The Ugreen USB-C 4-port hub is a slim and inexpensive adapter that allows you to add four full-size USB 3.0 ports that can handle data transfer at up to 5Gbps. It has recently been upgraded to feature a further USB-C port that can supply a 10W charge for connected devices, but not the host computer. While all four ports can be used simultaneously, a maximum of two hard drives can be connected at one time.

It looks the part with most modern MacBooks, and is an easy way to connect memory sticks, a printer or other older devices that don’t come with USB-C. It is available with either a short 0.5-foot or 2-foot integrated cable.

Anker USB-C to USB-A Adapter – Best simple USB-C to USB-A adapter

Pros

• Simple USB-A adapter
• Small
• 2-pack

Cons

• Just the one port

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• 1 Port: 1x USB-C to USB-A
• USB-C speed to Mac: 5Gbps

There’s a misconception that USB-C is an inconvenience for people with a bunch of devices still reliant on legacy USB-A, hence the existence of little adapters like this one from Anker. Products like this are there to help us bridge the gap.

This cute little adapter is simply to allow you to plug in one standard USB-A device or cable at a time, great for using a USB stick, for example. Just don’t misplace it—it’s tiny. If you do lose it, don’t worry as this is sold in a two-pack!

EZQuest USB 4 Dual Display 8-in-1 Hub (Pro Series) – Best native USB-C hub for dual Mac screens

Pros

• Two 4K monitors at 60Hz
• No extra software required
• 8x USB-C ports, inc 3x USB4

Cons

• Passthrough power only 77W

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EZQuest

$149.99

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• 8 Ports: 4x USB-C, 3x USB4, 1x USB-C passthrough charging
• Monitors: 2x 4K/60Hz (M4/M5, M1/M2/M3 Pro/Max)
• Passthrough power: 77W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

There are many USB-C hubs with more than one HDMI port but most are restricted to Mirrored Mode (where all external screens show the same image as on the MacBook) or in only partially Extended Mode (where the external displays show a different image to the MacBook but are the same themselves). That’s a Mac limitation only, not the fault of the hubs themselves, which work fine for Windows. Blame Apple.

The EZQuest 8-in-1 Hub is built on Intel’s JHL8140 USB4 chipset that makes a hub-based two-display setup a plug-and-play solution for Mac users. You can connect an 8K monitor at 30Hz or two 4K displays at 60Hz—with no need to install third-party software.

The Satechi Pro Hub Max Adapter, reviewed below, can also support two displays natively but uses two of the MacBook’s Thunderbolt ports to achieve this. The EZQuest is the only single USB-C connection to do this without DisplayLink.

One non-data USB-C port supplies up to 100W to the hub, which distributes it as 77W to the connected laptop and 23W shared between the ports. Other hubs reviewed here offer greater passthrough to your MacBook but 77W should be enough to keep even the MacBook Pro humming while you work.

Even using two of the USB4 ports for displays, the hub has five more 10Gbps data ports spare to connect other devices. That’s the same as you get from EZQuest’s Slim Gen 2 Hub Adapter 6-in-1 (5x 10Gbps USB-C and one PD), which is reviewed below. If you require just one 4K/60Hz display and a bunch of fast USB-C ports this $79 hub might be all you need, but if two displays is in your dreams, go for the 8-in-1.

Base-level M1 and M2 Macs plus the MacBook Neo are sadly hampered by a single-screen limitation. The EZQuest 8-in-1 Hub can’t help these users, who will need to install special DisplayLink or InstantView drivers to support more than one external display; see the Plugable HDMI Adapters reviewed below.

Plugable USB-C Quad 4K HDMI Adapter – Best DisplayLink USB-C hub for up to 4 Mac screens

Pros

• Four 4K monitors at 60Hz
• 100W passthrough charging
• Works with even M1/M2 MacBooks

Cons

• No other ports

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• 5 Ports: 4x HDMI, 1x USB-C passthrough charging
• Monitors: Up to 4x 4K/60Hz using DisplayLink software
• Passthrough power: 100W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 5Gbps

Using DisplayLink software—a simple download—the Plugable USB-C Quad 4K HDMI Adapter (USBC-7400H) can support four 4K external displays, all showing a different image to the MacBook and each other—so full Extended Mode, and even on lowly M1/M2 Macs. It also features 100W passthrough USB-C charging. See below this list of hub recommendations for a graphic showing the differences between Mirrored and Extended Modes on the Mac.

Plugable

If you need only two external displays in full Extended Mode, the $89.95 / £109.95 Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI Adapter (USBC-6950M) shown above features two HDMI ports but no passthrough charging.

Satechi Pro Hub Slim Adapter – Best 40Gbps USB4 hub for Mac

Pros

• USB4
• 40Gbps data transfer
• 7 ports inc 4K/60Hz display HDMI

Cons

• Uses two MacBook ports
• No device charging from USB-A and USB-C ports
• UHS-I card readers

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• 7 Ports: 1x USB4, 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI, SD Card Reader, MicroSD Card Reader
• Monitors: 1x 6K/60Hz via USB4 and 1x 4K/60Hz via HDMI
• Passthrough power: 100W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 40Gbps

All of the portable USB-C hubs reviewed here are compatible with the Mac’s Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 ports, but most feature slower USB-C connections (5Gbps or 10Gbps) compared to Thunderbolt (40Gbps for TB3 and TB4, and 80Gbps with TB5).

The $79.99 Pro Hub Slim, available in either Silver, Space Gray or Midnight, requires a MacBook with two adjacent Thunderbolt ports on one side, but offers 40Gbps bandwidth via its USB4 port. You can connect a 6K/60Hz display using this port, plus a 4K/60Hz display using the HDMI port.

That same port allows for 96W of passthrough charging, and there’s a separate 10Gbps USB-C port plus two 10Gbps USB-A and UHS-I card readers.

Plugable 5-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best budget 40Gbps USB-C hub for Mac

Pros

• 40Gbps data transfer
• 6K display at 60Hz via USB-C
• 5 ports inc Ethernet
• Affordable

Cons

• Uses two MacBook ports

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• 5 Ports: 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, Audio jack
• Monitors: 1x 6K/60Hz via USB=C
• Passthrough power: 100W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 40Gbps

While not certified as either USB4 or Thunderbolt 4, this compact and very portable 5-in-1 USB-C hub (AMS-5IN1E) offers 40Gbps data-transfer via its USB-C port, and is designed for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros introduced after 2021, or MacBook Airs introduced after 2022. A smart cutout keeps access to those MacBooks’ MagSafe charger port.

The inclusion of the 40Gbps USB-C port is useful as the hub uses the two Thunderbolt or USB4 ports in its flush side connection to the MacBook. But, in return, it gives you two 5Gbps USB-A ports (4.5W charging) and Gigabit Ethernet. The audio jack port is also covered but replicated on the hub.

The 40Gbps USB-C port can be used to connect a display up to 6K at 60Hz, or offer passthrough charging at up to 100W.

Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub (USBC-10IN1E) – Best pro-level 10Gbps USB-C hub

Pros

• 10 ports inc 2.5Gb Ethernet
• 8K/30Hz or 4K/144Hz display via HDMI
• 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A
• 125W PD

Cons

• UHS-I card readers

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• 10 Ports: 2x USB-C, 3x USB-A, HDMI 2.1, 2.5Gb Ethernet, SD Card Reader, MicroSD Card Reader, Audio Jack, 125W laptop charging
• Monitors: 1x 8K/30Hz or 4K/144Hs via HDMI
• Passthrough power: 125W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

This is the pro-level version of the 9-port Plugable USBC-9IN1E that we awarded Best Overall USB-C Hub to; see review above. It has the same 10Gbps data-transfer speed and impressive 125W passthrough MacBook charging, but with faster Ethernet (2.5GbE vs 1GbE) and support for either an 8K/30Hz or 4K/144Hz display.

Unless you need multiple external displays or 40Gbps bandwidth, this hub should offer everything you need for a pro setup in a portable form.

The 8K display support is great and the 144Hz 4K refresh rate option will please video professionals and gamers alike.

2.5Gb Ethernet will help future-proof your system, unless you are looking to 10GbE.

Read our full Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub (USBC-10IN1E) review

Satechi USB-C Multiport Adapter 8K With Ethernet V3 – Best USB-C hub for multiple fast ports

Pros

• 5x USB-C ports: 3 at 10Gbps
• 85W passthrough PD
• 60Hz 4K display via HDMI
• Ethernet
• UHS-II SD card reader

Cons

• No device charging from USB-C ports
• No USB-A
• 8K for Windows only

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• 8 Ports: 5x USB-C, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, SD Card Reader
• Monitors: 1x 4K/60Hz via HDMI
• Passthrough power: 85W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

This USB-C hub has four USB-C ports but no USB-A. If you no longer have need for old-time USB-A by buying this hub you won’t be wasting money on a port you don’t require. If you have USB-A peripherals, such as an older memory stick, then you should look for a hub with a Type-A USB port.

Three of the USB-C ports offer fast 10Gbps data transfer, and one at 5Gbps. A fifth USB-C port is for attaching a power source, most likely a USB-C wall charger. If the charger is rated at 100W, all that power can be distributed via the hub, including up to 85W PD to the host laptop or tablet. However, aside from the pass-through PD port, none of the USB ports can output power to connected devices.

The EZQuest USB-C Slim Gen 2 Hub Adapter 6-in-1, reviewed here lower down, has four 10Gbps USB-C ports, each with 7.5W device charging, plus two more for 4K/60Hz monitor support and 80W passthrough charging, but it lacks the Ethernet and card reader.

And the SD card reader is also top-notch at 312MBps, compared to some that are UHS-I at 104MBps.

Despite the 8K in its name, the HDMI 2.1 port can support only as high a resolution as an external 4K display at 60Hz refresh rate, as well as display options of 2K/144Hz and 1080p/240Hz. Apple display limitations mean that its potential 8K/30Hz display support is limited to Windows machines.

It’s at the high end for price but you get high-end, premium and future-proof ports for your money.

It is available in Apple MacBook-matching Space Gray, Silver, and Midnight colors.

Read our full Satechi USB-C Multiport Adapter 8K With Ethernet V3 review

Plugable USB-C to 5Gbps Ethernet Adapter

Pros

• 5G Ethernet

Cons

• No other ports

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1 Port: 5Gb Ethernet
USB-C speed to Mac: 5Gbps

For even faster speeds when connected to a supporting network, this one-function adapter adds an inexpensive route to 5Gbps Ethernet. It’s simple yet effective if you need more ports, you’ll pay more for such fast network speeds.

It’s backwards compatible with 1Gb and 2.5Gb networks, so is more future proof than a 2.5Gb adapter if you are always after the fastest data transfers.

The cable is short at 4.7 inches (12cm) but you shouldn’t need any longer for a network adapter.

If you want fast Ethernet but more ports, check out some of the Satechi hubs also reviewed here. Plugable also offers a USB-C to 2.5GbE Adapter, listed lower down this list.

EZQuest USB-C Slim Gen 2 Hub Adapter 6-in-1 – Best hub for most 10Gbps USB-C ports

Pros

• Six USB-C ports
• 4x 10Gbps
• 4K at 60Hz
• 80W passthrough

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• 6 Ports: 6x USB-C
• Monitors: 1x 4K/60Hz via USB-C
• Passthrough power: 80W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

This USB-C hub loves USB-C so much that it boasts only that type of port, of which there are six—seven if you count the connector that links to the laptop.

Four of these are rated at 10Gbps for data transfer, which is about as fast as you can get before you have to switch up to 40Gbps Thunderbolt as 20GBps USB-C hubs are rare.

Another can link up to an external display up to 4K in resolution and at a action-screen-friendly 60Hz refresh rate. You can either connect direct to a USB-C monitor, or use a USB-C to either DisplayPort or HDMI adapter.

The sixth USB-C port can handle 100W of PD 3.0 power input, 80W of which is reserved for the MacBook if it needs that much. Each of the 10Gbps ports can deliver 7.5W, up to a maximum 15W across all four at the same time.

If you require two 4K/60Hz displays and a bunch of fast USB-C ports, consider the EZQuest USB 4 Dual Display 8-in-1 Hub (Pro Series) reviewed above.

Satechi 4-In-1 USB-C Hub With 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet

Pros

• 3x USB-C ports (10Gbps)
• 2.5G Ethernet

Cons

• No passthrough charging

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• 4 Ports: 2.5Gb Ethernet, 3x USB-C
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

There are hubs with more ports but this 4-in-1 USB-C hub offers three fast 10Gbps USB-C ports and very fast 2.5Gb Ethernet.

The Satechi USB-C Multiport Adapter 8K With Ethernet V3, reviewed above, boasts more functionality but at twice the price and with standard 1Gb Ethernet. The Satechi 4-port USB-C Hub, reviewed below, offers an extra USB-C port but none at 10Gbps, and no 2.5Gb Ethernet.

This hub could be in your sweet spot if you need a bunch of fast USB ports and faster Ethernet. There’s no passthrough charging, so you’ll need a spare Thunderbolt port on your MacBook for power.

Plugable 6-port or 10-port USB-C Chargers – Best hubs for multiple USB-C charging ports

Pros

• 6x or 10x 100W USB-C ports
• Priority charging

Cons

• No USB-A (if you need it)
• Maximum 100W total power

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• 6 or 10 Ports: 6x or 10x USB-C charging ports
• Passthrough power: 100W
• USB-C speed to Mac: n/a

This multi-port hub is not for data transfer but is the best for charging multiple USB-C devices up to 100W utilizing clever priority-charging technology that distributes power across all connected devices—prioritized in the order you choose from left to right. As devices reach full charge, the now greater available power is reallocated down the line.

The $79.99 Plugable PS-6CC and $119.99 Plugable PS-10CC can neatly and efficiently charge up to 6 or 10 hungry devices at the same time and at an optimum power distribution without you having to resort to multiple chargers and a desk full of indistinguishable snaking cables.

Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub with PD – Best budget hub for multiple USB-C ports

Pros

• 4x USB-C ports
• 10Gbps
• Compact

Cons

• Passthrough power only 75W

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• 4 Ports: 4x USB-C
• Passthrough power: 75W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

Sick of hubs that still think USB-A is a thing? If what you want is more USB-C ports, the Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub With Power Delivery has plenty for you. Each port is USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 so 10Gbps, which has recently been upgraded from 5Gbps. Also upgraded is the PD Power Delivery via the USB-C ports for passthrough charging.

You can save a few bucks by buying the 5Gbps non-PD version but this new model is superior and well worth the few extra dollars.

Startech.com 7-Port USB-C Hub – Best hub for multiple USB-A and -C ports

Pros

• 7 fast USB ports
• 65W power supply included

Cons

• Only 2x USB-C ports
• No passthrough charging to laptop

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• 7 Ports: 2x USB-C, 5x USB-A
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

If it’s just USB ports you need to add, then you find more than enough on Startech.com’s 7-Port USB-C Hub, although we’d have preferred more USB-C ports, which here are outnumbered by legacy USB-A.

There are five USB-A ports, all rated at a speedy 10Gbps, with one offering 12W of device-charging power. One of the two 10Gbps USB-C ports can also charge connected devices at 12W. The other USB ports each offer a small charge of 4.5W.

Even 12W is not powerful enough to fast charge an iPhone but it’s enough to keep most connected devices powered up.

The hub is self-powered via its 65W power supply.

Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best dual-4K InstantView hub for M1/M2/M3 Macs

Pros

• 10 ports
• 100W PD
• 4K 60Hz display via HDMI
• Supports two displays on M1/M2/M3/Neo MacBook

Cons

• UHS-I card readers

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• 10 Ports: 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, 2x HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, SD Card Reader, MicroSD Card Reader, Audio jack
• Monitors: 1x 4K/60Hz and 1x 4K/30Hz using DisplayLink software
• Passthrough power: 100W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 5Gbps

This hub has enough different ports to call itself a docking station. It has two HDMI ports, two USB-C ports (one PD and one 5Gbps), SD/microSD/SD readers (UHS-I), two 5Gbps USB-A ports, a 3.5mm audio combo jack for headphones, and Gigabit Ethernet.

It doesn’t have its own power supply but offers passthrough PD charging at a more than healthy 100W.

It’s a great set of ports, but that’s not it’s biggest plus for users of Apple’s plain M1/M2/M3/Neo-based MacBooks, which don’t support more than one external display. The plain M3 MacBooks can connect two displays but only if the MacBook’s lid remains closed. The smarter M4/M5 and M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 Pro and Max chips do support multiple displays.

If that is a problem for you there is a hardware solution in the Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub, which lets non-Pro/Max Macs connect two external displays. There is some light software installation involved for M1/M2/M3 users, and you need to allow InstantView access to your Privacy settings in System Preferences. There are alternative solutions for adding two or more monitors to an M1, M2, M3 MacBook.

One HDMI port allows for 4K at 60Hz, and the other 4K at 30Hz. If you want two or more 4K screens at 60Hz and are willing to do without the extra USB ports and so on, look at the Plugable Quad and Dual 4K HMDI adapters reviewed earlier in this article. These are cheaper and offer superior display specs.

Plugable USB-C to 2.5Gb Ethernet Adapter – Best simple, budget adapter for 2.5GbE

Pros

• 2.5G Ethernet
• 100W passthrough

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• 1 Port: 1x USB-C, 2.5Gb Ethernet
• Passthrough power: 100W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 5Gbps

If all you need is a USB-C adapter that will add super-fast Ethernet to your computer, the Plugable USB-C to 2.5Gb Ethernet Adapter offers 2.5x network speeds compared to standard Gigabit Ethernet on supporting networks. A side USB-C port offers 100W passthrough charging to the laptop.

The short cable isn’t braided like the £39.95 Satechi USB-C 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter but the adapter is cheaper and just as able.

U.K. customers may find the Ugreen USB-C to Ethernet Adapter 2.5G cheaper, although it lacks the laptop passthrough charging.

Plugable USB-C to HDMI Multiport Adapter – Budget alternative to Apple AV Multiport Adapter

Pros

• Inexpensive AV adapter
• 4K display via HDMI
• Passthrough PD

Cons

• 4K display at 30Hz

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• 3 Ports: 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x HDMI
• Monitors: 1x 4K/30Hz avia HDMI
• Passthrough power: 100W
• USB-C speed to Mac: 5Gbps

Apple got a lot of flack when moving to USB-C because it meant that many of its users had to buy one or more adapters to replicate the ports they were used to, and needed.

It wasn’t so much that we needed adapters, but more to do with the price Apple was charging for its simple USB-C hubs and adapters.

Take, for example Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, which at $69 is a lot for just an HDMI port, one USB-A port and a passthrough-power USB-C port.

Plugable has a much cheaper alternative, at about a third of the price. And it looks pretty identical.

Aside from the price, the one drawback shared with the Apple version is that the HDMI connection can connect a 4K external display at 30Hz rather than the full 60Hz, which may put off gamers. But otherwise, this is a great alternative at a fraction of the price, and can charge at 60W.

Satechi Stand & Hub Mac Mini M4 – Best USB-C hub for M4 Mac mini

Pros

• SSD enclosure option
• Three USB-A ports and SD card slot at the front
• Housing for NVMe SSD
• Eases access to the mini’s power button

Cons

• No device charging

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• 4 Ports: 3x USB-A, SD Card Reader
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

We tend to think of hubs for laptops, such as Apple’s MacBooks, which lack more than one or two USB-C ports and so require a dock to add further devices. The Mac Mini and Mac Studio, you’d think, have an army of ports in comparison to Apple’s laptops.

Apple’s latest M4 Mac mini does at least add a couple of USB-C ports and an audio jack at the front—sadly lacking for its earlier M1 and M2 Mac mini models, see below—but it doesn’t have any legacy USB-A ports or card readers.

The Satechi Stand & Hub for the M4 Mac mini adds three USB-A ports—two at 10Gbps and one at 480Mbps—at the front, plus an SD card reader. Inside the Hub is an enclosure that enables you to add an NVMe SSD at up to 4TB NVMe storage—so adding more hidden storage at prices much cheaper than offered by Apple at purchase.

It fits neatly under the mini and, in our tests, didn’t suffer the same Wi-Fi problems as its M1/M2 sibling, although it has three fewer ports.

Read our full Satechi Stand & Hub Mac Mini M4 review

Satechi Stand Hub for Mac Mini – Best USB-C hub for M2 Mac mini

Pros

• Neat USB-C hub for Mac mini
• SSD enclosure option

Cons

• Impacts mini’s Wi-Fi strength
• No device charging

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• 7 Ports: 1x USB-C, 3x USB-A, SD Card Reader, MicroSD Card Reader, Audio jack
• USB-C speed to Mac: 5Gbps

Before Apple miniaturized the Mac mini even further in 2024, the 2018-2023 Mac mini models boasted two Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (fast USB-C) ports, two old-school USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and 3.5mm headphone jack. That sounds like a lot, but Apple accessory specialist Satechi believes the Mini needs maxing.

Satechi’s Type-C Aluminum Stand & Hub for Mac Mini expands these capabilities with seven ports: including a USB-C data port, three USB-A ports, micro/SD card readers, and another 3.5mm headphone jack port. (Note that you can’t charge devices connected to the USB ports, as they are there for syncing and data transfer only.)

The crucial point is that these points are front-facing, and not tucked around the back with the unwieldy and unsightly power supply. It also lifts the Mini off the desk, and its built-in air vents help regulate temperature and encourage airflow.

There is a superior model, the 10Gbps Satechi Stand & Hub For Mac Mini / Studio With NVMe SSD Enclosure, which includes an integrated slot where you can insert an SSD card to add affordable fast storage, accessible when connected to your Mac mini or Mac Studio. Read our Satechi Stand & Hub With SSD Enclosure review.

Both of the Satechi M1/M2 Mac mini Stand Hubs, however, can have a negative impact on the mini’s Wi-Fi signal strength, so it’s recommended to use the wired Ethernet option instead.

HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Hub for 24in iMac – Best hub for iMac

Pros

• 6 ports
• USB-C (10Gbps)
• 2x USB-A (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 4K 60Hz display via HDMI
• Color matches your iMac

Cons

• UHS-I card reader
• 24in iMac only

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• 6 Ports: 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x HDMI, SD Card Reader, MicroSD Card Reader
• Monitors: 1x 4K/60Hz via HDMI
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

You might not think a desktop Mac needs a hub, but the 24in iMac is quite lacking, having either just two Thunderbolt ports on the entry-level model or two Thunderbolt and two USB-C at the top-end. These ports are also all hidden away at the back, which can mean snaking cables all over your desk.

Five of the ports on this hub that clamps to the underside of the iMac are front-facing ports for easy access to memory cards, USB storage, or storage cards. There are two USB-C ports and one USB-A port (all rated at a speedy 10GBps). The USB-A port can charge a phone at 7.5W.

The UHS-I (104MBps) SD and microSD card readers aren’t the fastest but should suffice. Such memory cards are an affordable way of adding portable storage, and will also delight camera users.

At the rear of the hub is an HDMI port that can support an external 4K display at 60Hz.

Hyper also sells a 5-in-1 iMac USB Hub with two USB-C (5Gbps) and three USB-A (5Gbps and one that charges at 7.5W).

Quite brilliantly, the hubs can color-match with your 24in iMac, with 7 iMac color faceplates included.

Plugable USB-C 6-In-1 Mounted Hub for 24in iMac – USB-C hub for iMac

Pros

• 6 ports
• USB-C (10Gbps)
• 1x USB-A (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• 2x USB-A (480Mbps)

Cons

• UHS-I card reader
• 24in iMac only

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• 6 Ports: 1x USB-C, 3x USB-A, SD Card Reader, MicroSD Card Reader
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

While not as colorful as the HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Hub, this USB-C hub for the 24-inch iMac offers a set of basic ports slung under the iMac screen at a slightly lower price.

It brings four USB ports within easy arm’s reach, so you don’t need to fiddle around at the back of the computer.

It lacks the HyperDrive’s HDMI port but gains an extra USB-A port, although at a slow 480Mbps and with little charging power.

SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card USB-C Reader – Best USB-C SD Card adapter

Pros

• Simple UHS-II SD card reader
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Requires adapter for microSD cards

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• 1 Port: SD Card Reader
• USB-C speed to Mac: 5Gbps

If you’re a digital professional or just a photography enthusiast, chances are you might be slightly peeved that the new MacBook Pro you held out for doesn’t have an SD card slot. 

SanDisk is here to save the day. This neat SD card reader is USB-C compatible and will allow Thunderbolt 3 speed transfers of all your high-resolution photos and videos. 

SD cards are also a very inexpensive way to add portable storage to your laptop, from 32GB up to 1TB.

Cable Matters USB-C to VGA Adapter – Best USB-C to VGA Adapter

Pros

• VGA and HDMI ports

Cons

• 4K display at 30Hz

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• 2 Ports: HDMI, VGA
• Monitors: 1x 4K/30Hz via HDMI and 1x HD/60Hz via VGA
• USB-C speed to Mac: 10Gbps

This simple adapter makes a USB-C port into a VGA port for older displays and projectors, and also can handle two external displays.

VGA was once the most popular video connector but is seen less these days, being overtaken by DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort and direct USB-C.

It supports HD at 60Hz resolutions via VGA, and 4K at 30Hz through its HDMI port. It isn’t compatible with supporting two displays on an M1/M2/Neo MacBook.

Cable Matters USB-C to DVI Adapter – Best USB-C to DVI Adapter

Pros

• DVI port

Cons

• HD display only

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• 1 Port: DVI
• Monitors: 1x HD/60Hz via DVI
• USB-C speed to Mac: 5Gbps

If you need to connect to a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) display or projector, this adapter does the trick. 

It can support resolutions up to 1,920-x-1,080 at 60Hz.

Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

Pros

• Thunderbolt 2 adapter

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• 1 Port: Thunderbolt 2
• USB-C speed to Mac: 20Gbps

This adapter is designed to help owners of really quite old Macs smoothly transition to using USB-C. You may well have devices such as hard drives and external displays that use Thunderbolt 2 connections. This little gadget lets you keep using them with your MacBook or new MacBook Pro.

It also allows new Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 devices to connect to a Mac with Thunderbolt 2 ports–but to take advantage of it this way round Apple advises you need to be running macOS Sierra or above.

Which extra ports do you need in a hub

Many MacBook users connect their laptop to one or more external displays for greater screen space. You can connect to monitors using USB-C (via adapters to non-USB-C monitors) or better a dedicated video port, such as HDMI or DisplayPort. Check the hub specs to see which displays they support: some are limited to HD displays, others support 4K (also known as UHD) displays. The refresh rate is also important. 4K at 30Hz is fine for most productivity and browsing tasks, but watching video or playing games demands higher refresh rates of at least 60Hz.

You may need some legacy non-reversible USB-A ports, and most adapters and hubs have at least one for your non-USB-C memory sticks and drives. Look for at least USB 3.0, which has a speedy bandwidth of 5Gbps compared to the lamentably sluggish USB 2.0’s 480Mbps.

To fast-charge an iPhone, you need a minimum of 18W and it has to be USB-C, so look for extra USB-C slots with charging power, which are more capable than USB-A.

Other ports to look for in a hub include Ethernet for faster wired Internet access (without the flakiness of Wi-Fi). You can choose from standard Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps) or 2.5Gb and even 5Gb and 10Gb Ethernet (2500-10000Mbps), although the faster Ethernet requires the whole network to support that speed.

An SD or microSD card reader is perfect for adding inexpensive portable storage to your system. Card readers come at different speeds: UHS-I at 104MBps, and UHS-II at 312MBps; although some are slower at 60MBps.

Look for hubs that offer passthrough charging, so you can charge your laptop even though you are using up one of the laptop’s USB-C ports for the hub itself. Most don’t ship with a charger, so you’ll need to add your own, and remember that it needs to be a 100W charger to give 85W and above charging if offered by the hub. Lower wattage chargers are fine but will limit the hub’s charging potential. Couple your hub with one of the best Mac USB-C chargers. See how much power your MacBook needs in our advice below the list of recommended hubs and adapters.

You can also buy USB-C adapters for the many older display standards out there, such as VGA and DVI. We’ve picked the best for you below.

Many hubs and docks aren’t compatible with Apple’s SuperDrive CD/DVD drive. We’ve found few dock makers that offers compatibility with the SuperDrive, the Caldigit Thunderbolt Element Hub and OWC Thunderbolt Dock being two that do.

Which ports does each Mac have?

Here are the onboard ports on all of Apple’s current and recent Macs:

• MacBook Neo: 2x USB-C (one for 10Gbps data and one for charging), 3.5mm headphone jack
• MacBook Air: 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3 charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack
• MacBook Pro (plain M4/M5): 3x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3 charging port, HDMI, SDXC Card Reader (250MBps), 3.5mm headphone jack
• MacBook Pro (M4/M5 Pro/Max): 3x Thunderbolt 5, MagSafe 3 charging port, HDMI, SDXC Card Reader (250MBps), 3.5mm headphone jack
• iMac (24-inch): 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB4 or 4x Thunderbolt 4, 3.5mm headphone jack, optional Gigabit Ethernet
• Mac mini M4: 3x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-C (10Gbps), HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Mac mini M4 Pro: 3x Thunderbolt 5, 2x USB-C (10Gbps), HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Mac Studio M4 Pro: 4x Thunderbolt 5, 2x USB-C (10Gbps), 2x USB-A (5Gbps), HDMI, 10Gb Ethernet, SDXC Card Reader (312MBps), 3.5mm headphone jack
• Mac Studio M3 Ultra: 6x Thunderbolt 5, 2x USB-A (5Gbps), HDMI, 10Gb Ethernet, SDXC Card Reader (312MBps), 3.5mm headphone jack

Mirrored or Extended Modes for Mac displays

When you attach more than one external display to a Mac you can choose between various setups. Most hubs with more than one video port—usually HDMI—can mirror your MacBook’s screen, but most can at best handle showing a different screen to the Mac but not different to each other when attempting Extended Mode.

For full extended Mode, where each of the screens shows a different image and you treat each as an extension to your workspace—moving your cursor and windows easily between the displays—you will likely need a hub or dock that supports free third-party DisplayLink software, which is easy to download and install. Included above are reviews of the Plugable Dual and Quad HDMI adapters, both of which work with DisplayLink. DisplayLink enables multiple screens even with plain M1 and M2 MacBooks that are technically limited to just one external display.

If you need even more ports than you’ll find on a hub, check our reviews of the best DisplayLink docks.

Baseus

How much power does each MacBook require for smooth running

Check the Power Delivery (PD) charging power each hub or adapter offers connected laptops or iPads.

• The MacBook Neo charges at 20W.
• The 13in MacBook Air charges at 30W.
• The 13in and 14in MacBook Pro and 15in MacBook Air charge at 67W.
• The higher-end 14in and 16in MacBook Pro require at least 96W. The 16-inch MacBook Pro prefers 140W.

You can certainly use a charger at lower power, but remember that it will power up slower than when using a higher-wattage charger, and if too low your laptop might run out of juice altogether when maxed out on power-hungry apps and devices.

Most of the products tested here work with non-Apple USB-C laptops too, but you can read Tech Advisor’s more general roundup of the best USB-C hubs.

Also, read our roundups of recommended USB accessories:

• Best USB-C to Lightning cables

• Best USB-C and Thunderbolt cables

• Best USB-C power chargers

Apple is still wrapping up development of iOS 26, but is already hard at work on the next major iPhone operating system release: iOS 27.

With an unveiling coming in early June at WWDC, we’ve already heard a few rumors about what the next OS will have in store for our iPhones when it is released in September 2026.

iOS 27 could be one of Apple’s most important iPhone updates. The leaks and rumors suggest that Apple will be focused on performance and stability improvements, rather than new features. Siri is said to be getting a huge overhaul, with a new chatbot-like interface. Apple is also expanding its Apple Intelligence features, according to reports. The Camera app is also said to be getting new customization abilities.

Plans change of course, and you shouldn’t consider anything to be set in stone until Apple makes a formal announcement. Here’s what we think we know so far.

What’s coming in iOS 27: At a Glance

• Performance and stability improvements
• New Apple Intelligence features
• New chatbot-style Siri based on Gemini technology
• Camera app customization with new Advanced mode and widgets

Read on for more detail about these changes and what else to expect.

iOS 27 release date: When will iOS 27 be released?

• First developer beta: June 8, 2026
• First public beta: July 2026
• Final version: September 2026

Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC keynote on June 8, 2026, where it will showcase the update’s headline features. As usual, the software will then go through several months of testing before its full public release in the fall.

Apple typically launches new versions of iOS in September, often around the second week – making Monday, September 14 a likely release date based on past patterns.

If you want to try iOS 27 early, Apple will make beta versions available shortly after the keynote. The first developer beta is set to arrive on June 8, followed by a public beta in early July.

While installing a beta lets you test new features ahead of release, its worth noting that pre-release software can be unstable. Bugs, performance issues, and app incompatibility are common, as Apple uses the beta period to identify and fix problems before the final version launches.

iOS 27 compatibility: Which iPhones will get iOS 27?

Roman Loyola/IDG

• May drop support for iPhone 11, 11 Pro & Max, and iPhone SE 2020

Leaker ‘Instant (Momentary) Digital’, who has a decent track record for leaking credible information, has indicated via a Weibo post that the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max (launched in 2019) and the iPhone SE 2 (launched in 2020) will not be able to run iOS 27. As we explain in our guide to how long Apple supports iPhones, Apple does tend to drop devices from new OS releases after about seven years, so their omission isn’t really surprising.

Plus, with iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Max having been relegated to the Vintage iPhone list by Apple, it is inevitable that they will not be supported by iOS 27.

That leaves us with a compatibility list that looks like this:

• iPhone 17, 17 Pro / 17 Pro Max (launched in 2025)
• iPhone Air (launched in 2025)
• iPhone 16e (launched in 2025)
• iPhone 16 / 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max (launched in 2024)
• iPhone 15 / 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max (launched in 2023)
• iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max (launched in 2022)
• iPhone SE 3 (launched in 2022)
• iPhone 13 / 13 mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max (launched in 2021)
• iPhone 12 / 12 mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max (launched in 2020)

The iPhone 15 and older will not be able to take advantage of any Apple Intelligence features, as is currently the case.

iOS 27 performance: Stability improvements

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple intends to treat iOS 27 similarly to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, prioritising performance and stability over a long list of new features.

Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6) followed the more feature-heavy Leopard (10.5) update, and focused on refining the system – removing unnecessary complexity, fixing bugs, and improving overall efficiency. While it didn’t introduce as many headline features, it became a popular version of macOS thanks to its speed and reliability.

If iOS 27 is going to follow a similar path as Snow Leopard, users can expect some new features, but a greater emphasis on optimisation, performance, and stability, with effort spent on cleaning up the code and improving performance.

Siri in iOS 27: How Siri will improve in iOS 27?

Apple

Apple appears to have abandoned plans to deliver its long-promised Siri overhaul as part of iOS 26, and is instead reportedly targeting a bigger Siri overhaul for iOS 27.

According to reports, Siri will evolve into a full-fledged AI chatbot with a redesigned interface that more closely resembles ChatGPT or a messaging app. Users will reportedly be able to interact with Siri through a new Ask interface, reference previous conversations, and continue ongoing chats. Siri is also expected to integrate much more deeply with Apple’s own apps and services.

The revamped assistant is said to be built on a new foundation model reportedly based on Google’s Gemini technology, with Apple adding its own enhancements, privacy protections, and safeguards on top.

Siri should also appear as a standalone app, with a chat history that auto-deletes conversations more than 30 days old.

Apple is also expected to significantly expand Siri’s smart home capabilities. Rumored features include AI-powered vision recognition that would allow devices to identify users and understand what they are doing while maintaining privacy protections. These kinds of capabilities are expected to play a major role in future Apple products such as smart home cameras and smart glasses.

The Siri interface itself may also see a dramatic redesign. Reports suggest Siri’s activation animation will center around the Dynamic Island. Invoking Siri with the side button or wake phrase would trigger a large pill-shaped animation around the Dynamic Island, while swiping down from the top center of the display could open a new Search or Ask interface with both text and voice input options.

When Siri returns results, users may be able to swipe down to expand responses into a persistent chat interface similar to iMessage. Apple is also rumored to be developing a standalone Siri app where users can revisit, search through, and continue previous conversations.

Apple Intelligence in iOS 27: Major updates

• Wallet scanning tickets/cards
• Visual Intelligence (nutrition/object recognition)
• Contact info extraction from images
• Safari/app-level AI integrations
• AI photo editing features
• Improved writing tools with grammar check
• Shortcut generation

While the focus of iOS 27 may be on performance, efficiency, and reliability rather than new features, there is reportedly one major exception: Apple Intelligence will get major updates.

We don’t have much information about what specific AI advancements Apple is working on or how it will be used throughout the OS and Apple’s apps, yet. But Gurman reports iOS 27 will be heavy on new AI features.

In April 2026, some back-end code relating to Visual Intelligence suggested Apple is working on Apple Intelligence features like reading nutrition lables, adding phone numbers and addresses to contacts, adding physical tickets and passes to Wallet, and auto-generating names for tab groups in Safari.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed Apple is planning a trio of new AI-powered image editing tools. Extend, Enhance, and Reframe will join the existing Clean Up feature in a new “Apple Intelligence Tools” section within the Photos app.

In a May report, Gurman wrote that Writing Tools will get an AI-related update to be more capable, including checking grammar, and will be more easily discoverable in the operating system. He also indicates that there may be a “Write with Siri” button and a “Help Me Write” option.

AI-powered Shortcuts will be able to be created using plain language for the first time, too. You’ll just describe what you want the Shortcut to do, and your iPhone or iPad will create the automation for you.

To find out more about Apple Intelligence, read: How to use Apple Intelligence on iPhone and What is Apple Intelligence.

iOS 27 Camera app changes

You’ll reportedly be able to fully customize the Camera app interface in iOS 27. According to a report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, users will be able to switch to a new Advanced mode or build their own layout using customizable widgets. These widgets will be organized into categories such as Basic, Manual, and Settings, allowing users to tailor the camera interface to their preferences.

Potential widgets could include controls for depth of field, timers, photo styles, and exposure adjustments. The Camera app is also rumored to gain a new Siri mode – similar to existing modes like Slo-mo or Panorama – that would provide quick access to Visual Intelligence features.

Accessibility features in iOS 27

In May 2026, Apple previewed some new accessibility features coming in iOS 27. These lean heavily on Apple Intelligence, with updates coming to VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, Accessibility Reader, on-device subtitles, and Vision Pro.

Magnifier and VoiceOver: Major Visual Intelligence upgrades, enabling more detailed descriptions of images and what’s in the viewfinder. These improvements also reflect Apple’s broader AI efforts, since the same systems power object and text recognition across the OS.

Voice Control: Evolving from fixed commands to natural language interactions. Users will be able to describe what they want to tap, zoom, or scroll to using context like color or content, showing how Apple’s AI is becoming more capable of understanding on-screen information.

Accessibility Reader: Expanding support for more complex layouts, including tables, images, and multi-column content, using AI to better interpret and present information on screen.

Other new features coming in iOS 27

Satellite connectivity: It might be possible to use a Satellite connection to navigate Apple Maps and send photos via Messages. This could be made possible by Apple’s next-generation modem technology coming to future iPhones.

AI Vision Recognition: iOS 27 is expected to introduce AI vision features that allow devices to recognize users and their activities while maintaining privacy, which will be critical for upcoming smart home products.

Personalized Intelligence: Siri is expected to use on-device data from mail, messages, and web history to build a private profile, allowing it to provide answers specific to the user.

Wallet Enhancements: A new “Create a Pass” feature is tipped for the Wallet app.

iOS 27 interface changes: Folding phone specific features

We’ve heard of the imminent release of a folding iPhone for more than five years now, but it looks it could actually happen in 2026. The iPhone Fold, or iPhone Ultra, as some are calling it, is expected to be an ultra-premium device with a sky-high price tag—some rumors say as much as $2,400.

Naturally, an iPhone that has a 5.5-inch screen on the outside but then opens to reveal a 7.8-inch display on the inside is going to need some specific iOS changes to make use of it. Not only will the operating system itself need an overhaul to deal with this screen-switching and new aspect ratios, but all of Apple’s built-in apps will need to take advantage of the iPhone Fold’s unique geometry.

We haven’t gotten any rumors about how iOS 27 will adapt to the folding phone, and Apple is unlikely to unveil any new features until the phone arrives in September, but we’ll be looking for clues at WWDC.

Whether you’re planning to buy a new Mac or you got one as a gift, your current Mac doesn’t need to end up in a closet. So what do you do with it? If you aren’t planning to give it to a lucky friend or family member, you can trade or sell it to help pay for that new Mac. Here’s how to get every last bit of value out of your old Mac.

Apple has a support document that has good instructions on what you should do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac, and we also discuss how to prepare an old Mac for sale in a separate article. But we have some experience in that department that can help you get the most out of your trade-in or sale.

Treat your Mac well

Your Mac’s physical condition plays a key role in what you can get in return during a trade-in sale. If you have a Mac that you plan to keep for a while but know that you’re going to eventually trade or sell it when you upgrade, do what you can to take good care of it.

Desktop Macs like the Mac mini and iMac are easy to maintain since they won’t move from their location very much, if at all. Wipe off the dust that accumulates over time. Dust build-up can make your Mac work harder to keep itself cool, so regular dusting also makes sure your Mac runs efficiently. If you have an iMac, make sure your display remains pristine by cleaning your screen with a soft cloth every few weeks. Screen protectors are also available, but they require a great deal of patience and a good amount of skill to put on properly.

Laptop Macs are more prone to damage since they’re meant to be brought with you to work remotely. Use a good quality laptop bag, and always keep in mind that you’re using a pricey investment–we’ve all seen plenty of people at our local coffee shop handle their laptops carelessly. Don’t be that person. Speaking of coffee shops, try to keep beverages and food away from your MacBook in case a spill happens.

Be careful with how you use it. For example, if you’re connecting a USB device, try not to blindly plug it into a port. Feeling around the Mac’s port with a connector can scratch up the case, leaving an unsightly look of wear that can leave a bad impression on someone evaluating your computer.

Keep the original box (you don’t need the shipping box) and documentation. If you have the original cables and adapters, save those, too. People sometimes upgrade to faster chargers or longer cables, so keep the originals with the box. If you don’t have these items, that’s okay, you’ll still be able to trade or sell your Mac. But you’ll probably get more with them, especially if you sell it privately.

Wipe your data from the Mac: The steps

Save your data

When you’re ready to trade or sell your old Mac, make sure you back up the data that’s on it. If you haven’t backed up your Mac previously, we recommend getting an external storage device.

The easiest way to back up is Apple’s built-in Time Machine. Using Time Machine is ideal because you can use it to perform a data restore on your new Mac, which then pulls over all of your old settings, files, and apps, so your new Mac will be configured just like your old one. You can also use a third-party backup service or cloud storage like iCloud or Dropbox to save important files, such as your Documents folder, photos, and media files. You’ll be able to restore those files to your new Mac, but any apps will need to be downloaded from the App Store or the developer’s website. You’ll also need to redo your settings on your new Mac.

Deauthorize your Mac from your Apple ID

This is an important step. Apple tracks what devices you use, and if you don’t sign out, the new owner of your old Mac may not be able to set it up. To sign out, use your iPhone, iPad, or another Mac and go to your Apple ID account at appleid.apple.com, then log in with your username and password. Go to the Devices section of the webpage, where you’ll see a list of devices associated with your Apple ID. Click on the Mac you want to deauthorize, and a pop-up appears. Click the Remove from account button. A confirmation dialog will appear, and you’ll need to confirm that you want to perform this action.

Once that’s done, on the old Mac, make sure it is logged out of iCloud by checking System Preferences/System Settings. You’ll also want to make sure it is logged out of Messages, which you can check in the Messages app. 

Foundry

Reset the NVRAM on Intel Macs

Intel Macs use NVRAM to quickly access certain settings. To reset the NVRAM, turn off your Mac. Then hold down the Option, Command, P, and R keys on the keyboard and power on the Mac. Keep holding down those keys as your Mac boots and then boots again. If you hear the boot sound a second time or you see the Apple logo appear, disappear, and then reappear, you can let go of the keys. This isn’t necessary on M-series Macs.

Erase the storage device and reinstall macOS

Make sure your data is saved and you’re connected to Wi-Fi before you proceed with erasing the storage and reinstalling macOS using macOS Recovery. Here’s how to start the process:

• On an Intel Mac, hold down the Command+R keys while turning on the computer.
• On an M-series Macs, press and hold down the power button while turning it on.

The macOS Recovery menu will appear. You can then use Disk Utility to wipe your Mac’s drive. (Apple has detailed instructions on how to do this for Intel and M-series Macs.) When Disk Utility is finished, quit the app, and then click on Reinstall macOS in the Recovery menu to install the operating system.

Apple

Sell your Mac

Okay, now that your old Mac is ready to go, you need to decide where you’re going to sell it. There are several third-party sites that you can go to, though you may not get as much as you could from selling directly to someone through eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist. But selling to a reseller can be ideal if you want to avoid the hassle of dealing with other people. Here are some of the more popular buyback sites and what they offer.

We also discuss the best place to sell a Mac or MacBook in a separate article.

Gazelle

Gazelle buys (and sells) MacBooks only–its website does not appear to allow you to sell them a desktop Mac. After letting them know the condition of your item, they provide a quote that’s good for 30 days and covers shipping. After receiving your Mac, they’ll examine it and may make you a new offer if the Mac doesn’t match the initial evaluation. If you turn down the new offer, you can get your Mac back, but you have to pay for shipping. They pay you with a check, through PayPal, or an Amazon gift card.

Swappa

Swappa is a marketplace where you sell directly to other people. To make sure transactions are secure, Swappa verifies listings, handles PayPal-only payments, and organizes shipping. The fees Swappa charges are included in the posted prices. If you’re hesitant about posting on eBay or Craigslist, Swappa is a good alternative.

Trade in your Mac

You may not get as much as you could by selling your Mac to a person or third-party service, but trade-ins are almost hassle-free and convenient. Trade-ins are also often available when a Mac isn’t in sellable but working condition. You usually get compensated with a gift card, store credit, or credit toward your purchase.

Apple

The trade-in process with Apple is quick and easy. Apple asks a few questions about your machine’s condition (you need to provide the serial number), and then the offer can be applied to a new purchase. Apple will contact you if it needs to revise its offer after inspecting your Mac.

Apple

Amazon

Amazon has a Trade-In program, but as of this writing, it does not seem to be open to Macs of any kind. You can submit iPads, iPhones, or other non-Apple devices, and they pay you with an Amazon gift card. It takes a while to process your trade-in, and you can get more at other sites, but if you shop at Amazon frequently, it’s an attractive service.

Best Buy

Best Buy has a trade-in program, but you’ll need to find your exact model before you can start the process. You get a Best Buy gift card.

Walmart

Walmart has a program in partnership with CExchange, but it’s only for Mac laptops. You get a Walmart eGift card.

Apple’s expanded use of AI in iOS and iPadOS 27 will include writing tools that can check your grammar, custom shortcut creation using natural language, and AI-generated wallpapers, according to a report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg.

The tools are part of an expanded use of AI throughout iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, including an all-new conversational Siri powered by an entirely new language model.

Apple wants to make Writing Tools, now two years old, more discoverable. There may be a “Write with Siri” button at the top of the keyboard, and a “Help Me Write” option if you invoke Siri while the cursor is in a text field. Among the new features will be a grammar checker, similar in function to Grammarly, that will display original and suggested text in a translucent menu that slides up from the bottom of the screen.

For some time now, Apple has been working on AI-powered Shortcut creation, and it is apparently ready to be included in the OS. Instead of creating scripts in the Shortcuts app to make your own shortcut, you’ll be able to use natural language to describe what you want your shortcut to do.

Finally, the report says we can expect a new option in the wallpaper picker that allows users to generate one using the Image Playground app, which is also expected to get a major overhaul with improved image generation capabilities. Google has promoted a similar feature in its Pixel phones since 2023.

For more on what we expect Apple to announce at WWDC, check out our iOS 27 guide.

Apple just sent out its media invitations to the WWDC 26 keynote, which takes place at 10 a.m. Pacific Time on June 8. The media will gather at Apple Park to watch the same video that Apple streams on Apple TV, the Apple website, and YouTube, with introductions by Apple execs like Tim Cook and incoming CEO John Ternus.

In addition to the invitations to the media, Apple has published the schedule of events for WWDC. It begins, as always, with the keynote presentation followed by the Platforms State of the Union, with additional developer sessions and group labs and such following all week long. Developers can find the schedule for those on the developer site, but don’t look for details on unannounced features there just yet. Apple fills in the schedule for those later.

The invitation features the Swift logo glowing brightly on a dark background. It’s not unusual for Apple to feature Swift at a developer event, and there are always big updates for Swift users at WWDC, but this placement is especially prominent. Apple may have big things in store for Swift this year.

Apple events are usually accompanied by a tagline, usually some play on words that gives a clue about an expected new feature to be announced. “Coming Bright Up” is the tagline this time, and our best guess about its meaning is the same as when the WWDC 26 date and logo were first announced with brightly glowing text: Siri is expected to get a major overhaul with a new interface to match, and a key part of that interface will be a glowing dynamic island when Siri is in use.

The brightly glowing interface convention may be used for other Apple Intelligence features as well—iOS 27 is expected to get improved AI for visual intelligence, writing tools, photo editing, and more.

Apple announced a new promotion this week that seems too good to be true: Sign up for a new Apple Card and get a pair of AirPods Pro 3 for free. That sounds great (no pun intended), but take a closer look at the fine print, and it’s not nearly as generous as it seems.

To start, notice that you don’t actually get AirPods Pro 3 free. You have to buy them, and then you eventually get reimbursed by Apple. It says as much right in the big banner at the top of the Apple Card signup page.

For a limited time, earn back the cost of AirPods Pro 3, up to $250 total Bonus Daily Cash. Get a new Apple Card and buy AirPods Pro 3 at Apple by June 15. Starting July 1, each month you make 10+ purchases you’ll earn $25 Bonus Daily Cash, through April 30, 2027.*

Apple

Oh, what’s that? An asterisk? Let’s just scroll down to the fine print and find out what that asterisk is all about…

Obviously, this is a promotion to get new applicants, so it doesn’t apply to anyone who already has an Apple Card. If you’re new to Apple Card, you have to apply for a new Apple Card, be approved, and then use that Apple Card to buy AirPods Pro 3 directly from Apple by June 15. You will then earn $250 in “bonus Daily Cash” equal to the cost of your AirPods Pro 3, minus sales tax and any other fees (you’re on the hook for that). Also, the AirPods need to be new, so you can’t buy a refurbished set, or different AirPods, or buy in bulk.

You can, however, use the various purchase options tied to Apple Card, including paying in installments, and a trade-in offer won’t affect your eligibility.

Daily Cash is one of Apple’s signature features, where the cashback you earn is deposited into a virtual Apple Cash card or the Apple Card’s high-yield savings account each day as your purchases clear. Most Apple Pay purchases give you 2-3 percent cash back.

So the cost of the AirPods Pro 3 you purchase will be reimbursed to you as a one-time Daily Cash bonus? No problem, you’ll just pay them off right away and avoid the interest, right? Sorry, it’s paid to you at the rate of $25 per month over 10 months, from July 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.

What’s more, you have to use your Apple Card to make at least 10 purchases each month (of at least $0.01). If you use the Apple Card Family feature to add family members to your account with other family members, their purchases will not count toward the 10 you need to make. You’ll also need to watch out for multiple purchases from a single vendor that get bundled into a single purchase. The App Store does this: make several in-app purchases within one or two days, and your card will usually be billed only once. Those bundle purchases only count as a single transaction for this.

The $25 of bonus daily cash is earned and deposited in your account after your 10th purchase each month. The fine print does not say what happens if you make fewer than 10 purchases in a month, but it would appear that you simply don’t get your $25 that month, but you can resume getting the $25 bonus in future months by making 10 or more purchases. You’ll just run out of time to get your full $250 back before the promotion ends.

In short, you don’t actually get a free pair of AirPods Pro 3. You have to buy them first, and then you need to make a lot of purchases with your new Apple Card every month for almost a year to get paid back the purchase price.

As is always the case with credit cards, nothing is actually free; the bank will extract the value of whatever you think you’re getting for free one way or the other.

Apple Card is a perfectly reasonable cashback credit card with no fees, especially if you buy a lot of Apple stuff. If you were going to get an Apple Card anyway and you know you are going to use it about three times a week for the next year, and you can pay off those AirPods Pro 3 before you start racking up monthly interest, then there’s no reason not to take advantage of this offer. But the stipulations and conditions on this promotion should probably not convince anyone to get Apple Card that wasn’t already going to do it anyway.

With Apple’s long-awaited Siri revamp set to finally launch as part of iOS 27 this summer, a new report has revealed one of the main issues which has caused the delay, and how the company will spin this into a competitive advantage.

In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman claims that Apple’s focus on user privacy has held back its ability to develop industry-leading AI tech. He cites the company’s self-imposed “more restrictive approach to collecting, analyzing, and using customer information to train models and improve features” as a major factor in its failure to catch up with rivals.

“Rather than broadly tapping into real user data, it often relies on techniques such as synthetic data generation,” Gurman explains. “Apple argues that consumers shouldn’t need to give up their personal data to get top-notch AI features. [But] in practice, this hasn’t always worked out.”

The result, as well as a slower development cycle, has been an Apple AI platform whose features are shallower and less functional than those of rival companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. The company has attempted to solve both problems by patching AI tech made by other companies into its products, principally Google Gemini and ChatGPT, which comes with its own issues. Namely, can other companies be trusted to safeguard user data as carefully as Apple?

Apple doesn’t prioritise privacy out of the goodness of its heart. It understands many of its users distrust the way their data is harvested and sold by software companies, and the way their activity online is tracked and used for personalised advertising. Apple identified an underserved demographic (privacy-conscious users) and created a unique selling point for itself. Working with companies that don’t have the same philosophy risks tarnishing Apple’s pro-privacy reputation.

According to Gurman, the revamped Siri (which we already understand will exist as a standalone app for the first time) will attempt to maintain its privacy credentials by offering a unique feature: it will automatically delete the history of interactions with the user, much as Messages can be set to delete messages after 30 days or a year. Some other AI chatbots allow the user to delete chat history or temporarily work in an untracked incognito mode, but Apple will reportedly make this the default.

“Apple’s position is that such protections should be built into the system itself,” he explains, “rather than treated as an optional setting users have to manually enable.”

Like the company’s other pro-privacy policies, this could come at a price. Chatbots use chat histories as a source of context about the user and a shortcut to quicker and more knowledgeable responses to queries. Siri may therefore struggle to keep up with rivals, even in its revamped iOS 27 form–but as Gurman notes, it will be able to point to the system’s superior privacy options as both excuse and compensation for any shortfalls in performance.

The revamped version of Siri is expected to be announced as part of iOS 27 at WWDC this coming June. For all the latest news and rumors, bookmark our regularly updated iOS 27 superguide.

Apple holds what has traditionally been referred to as its “Back to School” promotion every year – although it is now referred to by Apple as the “College Student Offer” or “Higher Education Offer” to avoid confusion, because it is only open to students in higher education, along with qualifying educational staff and teachers, rather than school-age children.

As part of the promotion, eligible students can qualify for an incentive when purchasing qualifying Apple products, which are already discounted through Apple’s Education Store. In recent years, these incentives have included free AirPods, a free Apple Pencil and other accessories.

Apple’s “Back to School” deal runs in various regions around the world during the summer break for universities and colleges. The promotion typically ends around a month after the first university semester or term begins in each country, so it will be starting in North America very soon.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about Apple’s Higher Education promotion this year, including when it is expected to begin in your region, what products and incentives may be included, who qualifies, and how to take advantage of the offer.

Who can get Apple’s “Back to School” give-away?

• Current and newly accepted higher education students – and their parents

Apple

If you are enrolled at a higher education institution (post-K12 education, such as a university or college), or are the parent of a student who is enrolled, you qualify for Apple’s year-round education pricing as well as the “Back to School” promotion while it is running.

You will need to verify your eligibility before you can access the offer. Prior to May 2026, verifying student status in some countries – including the U.S. – only required an .edu email address and the name of a higher education institution. Apple has since tightened its verification requirements.

As a result, shoppers now need to verify their student status through UNiDAYS (as was already the case in the U.K.). Students are typically required to provide their name, date of birth, and school email address, then search for their institution and wait for their student status to be confirmed.

Apple’s education pricing is not available to parents buying for school-age children, but it is available to parents who are homeschooling their children.

When does Apple’s “Back to School” deal start?

• U.S. & Canada: From mid June – end September 2026.
• U.K. & Europe: From mid July – mid October, 2026.
• India: From mid June – end September 2026.
• Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and South Korea: January 7 to – early March 11 2026.

In North America, the “Back to School” deal is expected to run from mid-June through the end of September. Apple has not yet confirmed the official dates, but last year the promotion ran from June 17 to September 30 in the U.S. and Canada, so a mid-June launch is likely again this year.

Because the academic summer break begins and ends later in Europe, the promotion is expected to launch in the U.K. and across Europe in mid-July. In 2025, for example, the offer began on July 10 and ended on October 21.

The deal ran from January 7 to early March 11 this year in the Southern Hemisphere. Similar timings are expected in 2027.

What is Apple’s “Back to School” deal this year?

• Free AirPods/Apple Pencil/keyboard/mouse were offered with qualifying purchases in the Australian promotion earlier in 2026.
• The same giveaway is expected to launch later in 2026 in North America, the U.K., and Europe.

Foundry

During the Australian promotion, which ran from January 7 to March 11, 2026, Apple offered free or discounted accessories – including AirPods, AirPods Pro, Apple Pencil models, and Apple Keyboard, Mouse, or Trackpad products – with the purchase of qualifying Macs and iPads.

The following products were offered for free or discounted, earlier in 2026:

• AirPods 4
• AirPods Pro 3
• Magic Mouse
• Magic Trackpad
• Magic Keyboard
• Apple Pencil Pro
• Magic Keyboard (for iPad Air/iPad Pro)

Apple also offered similar giveaways during its 2025 promotion, and, previously, Apple also included a discount for the AirPods Max.

However, this has not always been the company’s approach. From 2022 to 2024 in the U.S., U.K., and some other regions, Apple instead offered gift cards worth up to $150/£130, depending on the products purchased during the promotional period. While Apple could return to that format, it is not currently expected to do so.

As of May 2026, Apple has yet to officially confirm this year’s promotion in North America or Europe, but the company is widely expected to continue offering AirPods and the other accessories listed above as part of the deal.

Can students qualify for other savings at Apple?

Yes. Apple’s “Back to School” promotion is not the only education-related discount the company offers. Macs and iPads sold through Apple’s Education Store are discounted year-round, so qualifying students and educational institutions can save up to $100/£100 of a Mac or iPad at any time of the year.

The summertime Back to School promotion is offered in addition to these ongoing education discounts. We explain everything you need to know about qualifying for Apple’s education pricing – including how much you can save and how to shop through the Apple Education Store – in our Guide to shopping in the Apple Education Store.

If you are unsure which device to buy, we also have guides to the Best Mac for Students and the Best iPad for Students.

Students can also take advantage of the discounted Apple Music Student Plan, which includes access to Apple TV+ at no extra cost. Read: How to get the student deal for Apple Music and free Apple TV+.

How to get Apple’s “Back to School” deal

In order to get Apple’s “Back to School” Deal you need to purchase a qualifying Mac or iPad from your local Apple Education Store during the promotional period.

You will need to verify your student status via UNiDAYS, as explained above.

Visit the Apple Education Store for your region using the links below:

• U.S.
• U.K.
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Brazil
• South Korea
• India
• France
• Germany

Logging in from your university network may help simplify the verification process. 

When you purchase a qualifying Mac or iPad, you will then be able to claim the promotional freebie or discounted accessory.

You can choose which of the giveaway product you want to receive when you make your order. In some cases the freebee comes with an additional cost, we include details of how much more you may need to pay in the tables below.

Which products qualify for Apple’s “Back to School” deal this year?

Apple

Apple has yet to confirm which products will qualify for the the 2026 promotion in North America, the U.K. and Europe.

However, during the Australian promotion earlier in 2026, the following products qualified:

• MacBook Air
• MacBook Pro
• iMac
• iPad Pro
• iPad Air

Will Apple include the MacBook Neo in the 2026 “Back to School” promotion?

Since the Australian promotion ended, Apple has launched the MacBook Neo, a new laptop aimed specifically at students.

As for whether Apple will offer free AirPods or other accessories with purchases of the MacBook Neo, we think that is unlikely.

While the new MacBook is clearly targeted at students, we do not expect Apple to include it in the promotion because of its already relatively low starting price.

Will Apple include the Mac mini in the 2026 “Back to School” promotion?

Apple has previously allowed the purchase of a Mac mini to qualify for the promotion, but not in 2025 or, so far, in 2026.

In recent times, the Mac mini has surged in popularity, especially among AI developers looking for a relatively inexpensive Apple Silicon machine capable of handling local AI workloads. This popularity, combined with ongoing global component shortages, has left Mac mini supply constrained as of May 2026, so we do not expect Apple to include it in the “Back to School” promotion.

Apple could also launch an updated Mac mini in the coming months, but even if it does, we still think it is unlikely to be included in the student deal.

Will Apple include the iPad A16 in the 2026 “Back to School” promotion?

Apple has previously allowed entry-level iPads to qualify for its Back to School promotion, but that was not the case in 2025 and, so far, it has not been the case in 2026 either.

With a new entry-level iPad expected later in 2026 – and the current iPad A16 lacking support for Apple Intelligence — our recommendation would be to choose an iPad Air instead.

Will Apple include the iPad mini in the 2026 “Back to School” promotion?

Apple has included the iPad mini in some Back to School promotions in the past. A new iPad mini is expected to launch in 2026 and that may affect Apple’s decision to include it in the deal.

Will Apple include the iPhone in the 2026 “Back to School” promotion?

Apple has never included the iPhone, Apple Watch, or any products other than selected Macs and iPads as qualifying purchases for its “Back to School” promotion.

How much can you save in Apple’s student deal?

Apple

Students can already save up to $200/£220 on Macs and up to $100/£100 on iPads year-round through Apple’s Education Store. Read more here: How to get an Apple student discount at Apple’s Education Store.

The additional savings available through Apple’s “Back to School” promotion depend on both the product purchased and the promotional accessory being offered.

In previous promotions, students could save up to $199 by choosing a free Magic Keyboard, up to $179 by selecting AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, or up to $129 by choosing an Apple Pencil Pro.

If you select one of the more expensive accessories offered as part of the promotion, you typically need to pay the difference above the promotional discount amount. For example, in 2025, choosing AirPods Pro 3 required an additional payment of $70.

Below, you can see the kinds of savings Apple has offered in previous years. Once Apple confirms the 2026 promotion details for North America, the U.K., and Europe, we will update these tables accordingly

U.S. “Back to School” giveaway details: 2025

In summer 2025, U.S. students making the following purchases could either get free Mice, TrackPad, Keyboard, Apple Pencil, or AirPods 4, or get a discount on the price of the AirPods Pro 2 and Magic Keyboard cases for iPad. The terms and conditions of the deal are here: U.S.

Apple’s education discounts are available all year round. Visit the U.S. Education Store and Canada Education Store for more information.

U.K. “Back to School” giveaway details: 2025

U.K. students making the following purchases could either get free Mice, TrackPad, Keyboard, Apple Pencil, or AirPods 4, or get a discount on the price of the AirPods Pro 2 and Magic Keyboard cases for iPad. The terms and conditions of the deal are here: U.K.

Apple’s education discounts are available all year round. Apple’s education discounts are available all year round. Students and educators need to log in via UNiDAYS website to see the offers. Educational Store discounts are usually up to £280 for U.K. students. See Apple’s terms and conditions.

Australian “Back to School” giveaway details: 2026

In summer 2026, Australian students making the following purchases can either get free Mice, TrackPad, Keyboard, Apple Pencil, or AirPods 4, or get a discount on the education price of the AirPods Pro 3 and Magic Keyboard cases for iPad. The terms and conditions of the Australian deal are here.

Apple’s education discounts are available all year round. Visit the Australian Education Store.

There were similar savings in New Zealand.

Europe “Back to School” giveaway details: 2025

European students making the same purchases as those above could either get free Mice, TrackPad, Keyboard, Apple Pencil, or AirPods 4, or get a discount on the price of the AirPods Pro 2 and Magic Keyboard cases for iPad.

French details here. German details here. Spanish details here. Italian details here. Netherlands details here.

India “Back to School” giveaway details: 2025

The 2025 deal in India the Back to University was the same as in the U.S.: AirPods or Apple Pencil discounts.

Details here. T&C here.

Brazil and South Korea “Back to School” giveaway details: 2025

In Brazil and South Korea Apple gave away AirPods with Mac purchases and Apple Pencil with iPad purchases from January to March 13, 2024. The deal was the same in 2025.

Other ways to save money on a Mac or iPad

Foundry

If you don’t qualify for an education discount have a look at these round-ups of the best deals on a new Mac and iPad:

• Best MacBook Pro deals
• Best MacBook Air deals
• Best Mac mini deals
• Best iMac deals
• Best Mac Studio deals
• Best iPad deals

We also have this advice about the Best Mac and the Best iPad to help you decide which model to buy.