With the launch of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple replaced the classic Mute switch with a customizable Action Button. And now, several reports and shreds of evidence suggest that Apple is planning to add a redesigned Action Button to the entire lineup of the iPhone 16 series, which will make its debut in 2024. The Cupertino tech giant is reportedly working to add more functionality to its existing Action Button, and will also switch to a capacitive design rather than a mechanical one.

While these reports and pre-production information say a lot about Apple’s plans, we still are months away from the final hardware designs. The giant might change its plans, and come up with something different, which may or may not be exciting. We’ll keep you updated as the cycle evolves. For complete details on what to expect from 2024 iPhones, head to our dedicated iPhone 16 series roundup.

The Apple Watch is a health and fitness-centric smartwatch that features a collection of sensors used to detect some of the wearer's vital signs, but is blood pressure monitoring supported? Apple's lineup of smartwatches includes health features that can vary based on the model and series, and the company typically improves on these with each upgrade. The Apple Watch SE, a cheaper version of the smartwatch with slightly limited features, has its own functionalities separate from the standard Apple Watch.

Though the Apple Watch features a collection of health sensors — from a heart rate sensor to an electrocardiogram to a blood oxygen sensor — true blood pressure monitoring is not supported on the smartwatch. A few applications claim to provide the functionality, but they fall short unless an external blood pressure monitor is connected. As per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple plans to add blood pressure monitoring to the Apple Watch in the future along with other health sensors. These include blood glucose monitoring and blood alcohol tracking, but some of these features require government approval before being released to the public.

View BP Data On Apple Watch With An App

Apple's 10th-generation iPad features USB-C and a design similar to the iPad Pro and iPad Air, but why does it only support the Lightning-enabled first-generation Apple Pencil? The 10th-generation iPad surprised both buyers and reviewers with its inclusion of a front-facing landscape camera, which is a first on any iPad. More importantly, this feature is absent on the higher-end iPad Pro models. Since the 10th-gen iPad added a landscape camera without supporting the Apple Pencil 2, it was natural to wonder whether the two features were connected.

The uncertainly surrounding the lack of Apple Pencil 2 support on the 10th-generation iPad was put to rest by iFixit, which posted a teardown of the tablet. After iFixit removed the display and glass from the main chassis, the problem with the 10th-generation iPad's design became apparent. The components for the iPad's landscape camera were housed in the same general area as the wireless charging coil within the iPad Pro and Air. This magnetic, wireless charging window makes it possible for the Apple Pencil 2 to pair and charge on those iPads. The inclusion of the landscape camera on the 10th-generation iPad all but prevented the second-gen Apple Pencil from connecting in its usual location.

The natural solution to this problem appears to be moving the Apple Pencil's magnetic connector on the iPad, but iFixit's Shahram Mokhtari says this isn't possible. "As it stands, the magnets on the Apple Pencil 2 don't quite line up with the iPad 10's magnets," Mokhtari says in the video. "The wireless charging coil would be sitting in the center, but if it were to be moved down, you could theoretically have a Pencil that could attach here." However, the teardown specialist finds another potential issue with moving the Apple Pencil's magnetic connector down the iPad's chassis. "But then, the wireless charging coil would interfere with the magnet placement."

With this information kept in mind, it seems that Apple decided the addition of a landscape camera to the base-model iPad was more important than Apple Pencil 2 support. But since the higher-end iPads Air and Pro utilize a similar form factor to the new iPad 10, this creates an interesting dilemma for the company. If Apple felt that the landscape camera was important enough to appear on the base model iPad, surely customers can expect it to appear on more expensive variations. iFixit's teardown of the 10th-generation iPad not only proves why it doesn't have second-gen Apple Pencil support, but also why higher-end iPads will need a redesign before getting a landscape camera.

Which Apple Pencil Works With iPad 10th-Generation?

iPad 10th-generation users who want to use an Apple Pencil will need to buy the outdated first-gen Apple Pencil that charges via a Lightning port. However, since the 10th-gen iPad has a USB-C port, this necessitates the use of an adapter to connect and charge the Apple Pencil. It's an awkward, clunky solution, but one Apple felt was justified.

Apple now ships the Apple Pencil (first-gen) with a Lightning to USB-C adapter in the box. To connect the Apple Pencil to the iPad 10th-gen, users will need to plug the Apple Pencil into the adapter's Lightning port, and connect the iPad to the adapter's USB-C port using a USB-C cable. This means that iPad 10th-gen users will need to carry both the adapter and a USB-C cable to charge the Apple Pencil or pair it in the event it gets unpaired.

Source: iFixit/YouTube

Apple has announced a new Mac mini that comes in a choice of either M2 or M2 Pro chips, but how does it compare to the Mac mini with an M1 processor? The first Mac mini powered by an Apple chip was released in 2020. Less than a year later, there were reports that Apple was planning to launch a more powerful model in 2022, but after a short delay, the new mini PC is finally here.

The M2 Mac mini doesn't look visually different from the M1 Mac mini. It has the same aluminum body, and the arrangement and number of ports remain unchanged. However, there are some differences on the M2 Pro model. Although it has the same design, it packs more ports. The ports on the M2 Mac mini include Ethernet (configurable up to 10GB), two Thunderbolt 4 ports (replacing the Thunderbolt 3 ports on the M1 Mac mini), two USB-A ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The M2 Pro Mac mini differs with the addition of two extra Thunderbolt 4 ports.

M2 Models Bring Big Improvements

The inside is where the M2/M2 Pro Mac mini greatly differ from the M1 Mac mini. The base model of the M2 Mac mini has an 8-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. It also has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. However, buyers can choose to configure it with up to 24GB of unified memory and up to 2TB SSD storage. Buyers should note that the Mac mini's storage can't be upgraded after purchase.

On the other hand, the base model of the M2 Pro Mac mini has a 10-core CPU, a 16-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. A 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU version is also available. Furthermore, the M2 Pro Mac mini's memory bandwidth of 200GB/s is twice that of the M2 model, and more than three times the 66.67GB/s memory bandwidth of the M1 Mac mini. It can also be configured to up 32GB of memory and up to 8TB of SSD storage. The M1 Mac mini has up to 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage.

With the new M2 Mac mini, users will be able to connect up to two displays – one display with up to a 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and a second display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K resolution over HDMI. The M1 Mac mini also supports up to two displays, but the second display peaks at 4K 60Hz and must be connected over HDMI. For the M2 Pro model, there is support for up to three displays. Users can also connect a single display with an 8K resolution at 60Hz, a first for the Mac, or even 4K at 240Hz. With the newer Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 technology of the M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini models, users should experience better connectivity than the M1 Mac mini which has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

The M2 Mac mini is not only more powerful than the M1 Mac mini, but it has also been launched for an even cheaper price. It starts at $599 (students can get it for just $499), compared to the M1 model which had a launch price of $699. Based on these factors, it is no surprise that Apple has already discontinued the M1 Mac mini. However, the M2 Pro Mac mini starts at a more expensive price tag of $1,299 as a result of its more powerful chipset and additional RAM and storage. While existing M1 Mac mini users might not see much point in upgrading to the M2 Mac mini, those looking for a more powerful mini PC can consider switching to the M2 Pro model.

At the Far Out special event, Apple released the second generation of Apple Watch SE. But does it last more than the original Apple Watch SE (2020)? Battery life is one of the most crucial aspects of a wearable device as it decides how frequently the user will plug the device into a power source.

Along with the Watch SE, Apple also unveiled the Watch Series 8 and its rugged smartwatch, the Apple Watch Ultra. While the Apple Watch Series 8 offers up to 18 hours of usage on a charge, the Apple Watch Ultra goes up to 36 hours, which can be extended to 60 hours with the low power mode.

As it turns out, Apple promises the same battery life for the Apple Watch SE 2 as it does for the Apple Watch SE (2020), i.e., "18 hours after an overnight charge." This includes up to 90-time checks, 90 notifications, a 60-minute workout with music playback and 45 minutes of app use. As per tests conducted by Apple in August 2022, Watch SE is rated to last up to 1.5 hours on a call via LTE. However, the Watch SE provides a maximum of 10 hours of audio playback from offline storage. In comparison, the latest Watch Series 8 provides up to 11 hours of audio playback. In terms of workout, the affordable Watch SE can record information for up to 10 hours during indoor exercise and up to six hours during outdoor activity with GPS — an hour less than what the Apple Watch Series 8 offers. Although the company lists these numbers on its official website, the battery life depends upon usage patterns and may differ from user to user.

The Low Power Mode Should Increase The Battery Life On Watch SE

While the new Watch SE does not come with an improvement in battery life, Apple has released a new Low Power Mode for all models that support watchOS 9. The Low Power Mode should help users get more out of their Apple Watch SE. The Watch Series 8 can last up to 36 hours on the Low Power Mode by disabling features such as an always-on display and automatic workout detection. However, it is essential to highlight that Apple does not mention how long can the Watch SE last in the Low Power Mode. A report by MySmartPrice states that the Apple Watch SE (40mm) has a 245 mAh battery while the Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm) has a 282 mAh battery. This difference in battery capacity (about 15 percent) should also reflect users' effective battery life on both the regular and the low-power modes. Hence, users should expect the new Watch SE's battery life to fall slightly behind the Apple Watch Series 8.

Regarding the charging time, the Apple Watch SE is not as fast as other models released in 2022. When used with the 20W USB-C Power Adapter, the Apple Watch SE takes about 1.5 hours to reach 80 percent and about 2.5 hours for a complete charge. With the Apple Watch SE, users get a Magnetic Charging USB-C Cable, but the power brick is not included in the box and costs $19. In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 8 takes about 45 minutes to charge up to 80 percent and about 75 minutes to reach 100 percent.

A new Android app called dynamicSpot promises to bring the iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island to any Android device. Ever since Apple launched the iPhone 14 series with a host of new features, the one design element that caught everyone's attention is the Dynamic Island. Unfortunately, it is only available in the Pro and Pro Max models, while the two base models still retain the age-old notch at the top. Nevertheless, the new feature is already so popular that Chinese smartphone makers like Xiaomi and Realme are asking users whether they'd like to see something similar in their Android devices in the future.

The Dynamic Island is already being put to good use by developers, who have come up with various apps and games that take advantage of the new design element. One such developer is Kriss Smolka, who just released a new game called 'Hit The Island' that requires players to hit the Dynamic Island with a virtual ball as many times as possible. The feature is also supported by a host of third-party apps, including Spotify, YouTube Music, WhatsApp, Instagram, Skype and more. In-house Apple apps that support the feature include AirDrop, AirPlay, Apple Music, etc.

Android app developer and XDA senior member Jawomo has released an app called dynamicSpot that brings Dynamic Island-style notifications to Android devices. The tool enables users to access notifications and phone status through a floating card at the top of the screen in a manner that looks very similar to how the Dynamic Island works on the iPhone 14 Pro. It is compatible with all punch-hole camera cutouts, whether at the center or the corner. In both cases, the camera cutout is engulfed by an oblong 'dynamic spot' that looks eerily similar to the Dynamic Island. The island is at the center by default, but users can also shift it to a corner if they want.

Dynamic Island For Android Phones

The free version of dynamicSpot comes with many customization options that allow users to choose the notifications they see, change the size of the island, and more. There's also a paid version that costs $4.99 and offers more features, such as an option to see the dynamic spot on the lock screen, as well as various single-tap and long-press actions.

The app is currently in beta, meaning it will likely have a few bugs and glitches that should be sorted out in the coming days and weeks. The developer also admits as much, saying that some animations may not be as smooth as expected. However, for people who want a Dynamic Island on their Android phone, dynamicSpot offers a great option that is worth checking out.

Apple iPhone 14 hit the stores a few days ago, but users are already facing issues with their units, including the 'Last Line No Longer Available' error. The error has existed since Apple released its first dual SIM iPhones, i.e., the iPhone Xs and the iPhone Xs Max, in 2018.

Ever since, it has appeared on all the iPhone models that support two SIM cards, including the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13 and the iPhone 14. The error occurs when users try to make a call from their contacts or recent call lists, but the iPhone cannot access the last line used to make a call. It is accompanied by a message that reads, "Do you want to call using your remaining line," which is the secondary SIM.

Early adopters of the iPhone 14 are facing the 'Last Line No Longer Available,' which does not allow users to make calls. As per a thread posted by Apple Community Specialist, the issue seems to be related to the dual SIM feature on the iPhone 14. While it should not occur in the first place, there are a couple of things that users can do to fix it. First, delete the recent call log if the error message comes when calling people from the Recent Calls list. To do so, head to the Phone app, tap on Edit in the top right corner, and select Clear. Then, in the prompt that shows up, tap on Clear All Recents. Once done, reboot the iPhone and try calling someone. While this should fix the 'Last Line No Longer Available' issue, there are other ways.

Toggle The Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi Calling To Fix Error

Enabling and disabling the Airplane Mode through its toggle in the Control Center forces an iPhone to reconnect to cellular services, which might solve the error in concern. Similarly, toggling the Wi-Fi Calling option on an iPhone may work for some users. In case it does not, reset the network settings on the iPhone. While this does not wipe out any personal data, it clears information related to the mobile plan, VPN and Wi-Fi credentials. Next, open Settings, tap on General, select Transfer or Reset iPhone and then select Reset. On the next screen, tap Reset Network Settings. While this should resolve the 'Last Line No Longer Available,' don't panic if it does not.

For those operating two eSIMs on their iPhone 14, manually selecting the line before making a call might make a difference, especially if the user does not have an active voice plan on one of the lines. Tap on the 'i' icon beside the contact and select the Preferred Line from the available options. Other workarounds involve a hard reset and updating the iPhone to the latest version of the iOS released by Apple. To force a restart of the iPhone 14, press and immediately release the volume up button, then the volume down button, and finally, hold the power button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. If the 'Last Line No Longer Available' error persists, contacting Apple Support will be the best idea.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max are here, but should you buy the standard iPhone or pay $300 more for the top-end Pro variant? Over the last two generations, Apple has brought the heat to other phone brands. The only choices for Apple's most devoted customers are choosing between standard and Pro devices and deciding whether it's time to upgrade.

During Apple’s ‘Far Out’ event, the company dropped the details on three big product lines – the next generation of iPhones, AirPods, and the Apple Watch. While there were plenty of rumors surrounding each device, there were still a few surprises for those tuning in. Last year, the iPhone received some powerful upgrades, with the iPhone 13 Pro models dominating the standard and mini versions. Once again, the iPhone 14 Pro has gained the most exciting features, but that doesn’t mean the iPhone 14 should be entirely dismissed.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max feature 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR displays, respectively. However, the iPhone 14 gets a lower peak brightness of 1,200 nits, compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max's 2,000 nits (outdoors). Additionally, the iPhone 14 Pro Max features a 120Hz refresh rate, while the iPhone 14 sticks to the standard 60Hz. The iPhone 14 Pro models also eliminate the wide notch in favor of the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped cutout that hides the front camera and Face ID sensors, and doubles up as a discreet notification bar too. Another new feature exclusive to the Pro iPhones is the Always On display, which lets users view essential information on the lock screen without sacrificing too much battery life.

Should You Play It Safe Or Go Big?

The display isn't the only area where the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max differ. While the former retains the A15 Bionic chip of the iPhone 13 series, the iPhone 14 Pro is powered by the new A16 Bionic chip, bringing faster speeds and smoother operation. Both phones come with the same storage options, but the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers an additional 1TB version. All the iPhone 14 models feature an IP68 water-resistance rating.

As for the cameras, the iPhone 14 improves upon the iPhone 13's 12MP primary camera with a larger f/1.5 aperture. The iPhone 14 Pro Max on the other hand gets an all-new 48MP main camera. The sensor uses pixel binning to output 12MP photos, but users can shoot in full resolution if they prefer. Both the iPhones feature a 12MP ultra-wide camera, although the iPhone 14 Pro Max also includes a third 12MP telephoto sensor. All the iPhone 14 models get an upgraded autofocus front camera and the new 'Photonic Engine' that improves image quality in lower lighting. Coming to the color options, iPhone 14 comes in Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and (Product) Red, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max is available in Deep Purple, Gold, Silver, and Space Black shades.

The iPhone 14 starts at $799, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max starts at $1,099. There's a $300 difference in the price of each variant, so which one should you buy? The iPhone 14 Pro Max gets most of the upgrades, including the Dynamic Island notch, Always On display, 120Hz refresh rate, faster A16 Bionic chipset, and powerful 48MP camera. The iPhone 14 misses out on all these features, but gets some upgrades such as the new Crash Detection and Satellite Emergency SOS features. For most users, saving money and buying the iPhone 14 (or iPhone 14 Plus, if a bigger display and battery are important) seems like the sensible choice. For those who want the most advanced features, particularly when it comes to cameras, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is worth the investment.

Excited about the release of the iPhone 14 Pro models and want to know what upgrades Apple made to camera features? There is no better way to kick off the fall than with a new iPhone. Apple has a record of releasing the next evolution of the popular device around this time of the year. Some fans look forward to a fresh design, others geek out over upgraded technology and the creatives look forward to a more powerful camera.

The iPhone began its reign as a top mobile device competitor with the first generation's revolutionary design and functionalities. However, in recent years Apple has had a hard time living up to people's expectations and delivering yawn-worthy material. This opinion changed when the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 introduced new camera abilities. Last year, the iPhone 13 was released with larger sensors and enhanced sensor-shift stabilization. Additionally, the iPhone 13 upgraded the aperture, enhancing zoom and macro capabilities.

Apple's iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max included some impressive advancements for photographers this year. iPhone 14 Pro users will discover that the topnotch has been reinvented. Now, the front lens has been replaced by Apple's new TrueDepth camera, offering a smaller size and capable of fitting the proximity sensor behind the display. The TrueDepth camera frees up a considerable amount of screen real estate. More importantly, it makes way for iPhone's newest feature, Dynamic Island. But, the true might of the iPhone Pro model camera performance is powered by the A16 Bionic Chip. Built on a four-nanometer process, the Pro models deliver efficient and powerful performance. The following features take advantage of this strength. Starting with the iPhone 14 Pro series primary camera, the sensor is 65 percent larger than the iPhone 13 pro models. Included are the 2nd-generation sensor-shift OIS and 100 percent Focus Pixels. Impressively, the lens also features a 24mm focal length, offering more versatility when shooting stunning landscapes, group shots and single subjects. Next, the Quad-pixel Sensor is an exciting feature. This sensor groups every four pixels into one large pixel. Hence, the name. But this provides four times more light while delivering a 12MP photo size. In addition, the new Photonic Engine achieves up to two times low-light improvement for photos over the iPhone 13. Combining the Photonic Engine with the Quad-Pixel Sensor will surely capture exceptional images.

ProRAW And ProRes

Incorporated is an added 2x Telephoto option to deliver a full-resolution photo and 4k video with optical quality. Additionally, the Telephoto comes with a 1.22um pixel size and a faster f/1.78 aperture. This new sensor is used to optimize for detail in ProRAW. As a result, ProRAW gives photographers complete creative freedom over sharpening, white balance and advanced tone mapping. Excitingly, the ProRAW now shoots at 48MP resolution for greater editing flexibility. Imagine seeing all the details and no noise.

Heading into the video, the iPhone is the only smartphone to shoot in ProRes and feature an end-to-end workflow with Dolby Vision HDR. The iPhone 14 also comes with a new Action Mode, with top-of-the-line stabilization. In addition, the Cinematic Mode supports up to 4k resolution at 30fps or a choice to shoot at 4k at 24fps. Simply put, the camera can capture some fantastic footage.

Apple is pushing limits on what a small device can achieve. The iPhone 12 and 13 Pro series laid some serious groundwork for this year's models. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro max come with advanced technology, allowing the brand to remain at the top of photography phones. As Apple says in their promotion, they are redefining what a smartphone means.

Apple has expanded its watch lineup with a new entry called the Apple Watch Ultra, but what's the battery life like? Before the Apple launch event, there were multiple reports that Apple was planning a pro smartwatch designed for the outdoors. Expected to launch as the Apple Watch Pro, it was a surprise when Apple announced it as the Apple Watch Ultra.

The new smartwatch has many features that make it stand out from its siblings. It has double the water resistance, a stronger build, dual-frequency GPS, a special watch face, a built-in siren, extra microphones and an additional physical key called the Action button.

The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple's biggest smartwatch to date. It packs the largest and brightest display (up to 2000 nits) ever on an Apple Watch. And to drive that display, it is only fair that there's an equally large battery that can keep it going and not leave users hanging dry. While Apple doesn't state the battery capacity, it mentions multiple battery stats. For starters, Apple has revealed that the battery life of the Apple Watch Ultra goes up to 36 hours on a single charge, which goes up to 60 hours in low power settings mode.

Double The Battery Life Of The Apple Watch Series 8

For comparison, the Apple Watch Series 8 has a battery life of 18 hours which users can extend to 36 hours in low power mode. Unfortunately, out of the box, the battery optimization feature that extends the battery life to 60 hours isn't available. However, Apple says it will be made available via an OTA update. Although the Apple Watch Ultra is designed mainly for athletes and adventurers, anyone who wants an Apple Watch with the best battery life will find it suitable too. However, its $799 price tag is double that of the Apple Watch Series 8.

While the Apple Watch Ultra holds the crown of the Apple Watch with the best battery life, it pales in comparison to other rugged smartwatches. These include the Amazfit T-Rex 2, which has a battery life of up to 24 days, and the Garmin Fenix 7, which can last up to 18 days on a single charge. Garmin even offers a solar version that goes up to 22 days on a single charge. Another rival of the Apple Watch Ultra is Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, which has a battery life of 50 hours and can even go up to 80 hours.

Apple’s iPhone 14 series is here and includes four models with various screen sizes, but is there a mini version? The iPhone 12 mini was the first iPhone to feature the “mini” name. It was then followed by the iPhone 13 mini in 2021. With the iPhone 12 mini discontinued last year, the iPhone 13 mini, alongside the iPhone SE, catered to those who wanted a compact iPhone.

The iPhone mini hasn't had a particularly successful run. Back in March 2021, it was reported that Apple had cut production of the iPhone 12 mini due to the phone’s poor reception. Despite the poor sales, Apple not only launched the iPhone 13 mini in 2021, but even followed with the cheaper iPhone SE 3 earlier this year.

Unfortunately, the iPhone 13 mini was Apple's last in the short-lived mini series. The iPhone 14 lineup includes the standard iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The new big-screen iPhone 14 Plus replaces the compact mini model, clearly indicating that demand for larger screen phones is on the rise. While Apple didn’t reveal why there is no iPhone 14 mini, declining sales are a likely reason. For those who do want a smaller iPhone, the good news is that Apple hasn't discontinued the iPhone 13 mini yet. The phone is still on sale alongside the iPhone 13 on Apple's website.

Why The iPhone 13 Mini Is Still A Good Buy

There are a few reasons why the iPhone 13 mini is still a great buy, but a key one is that Apple has slashed its price. When it launched last year, the phone cost $699, but following the announcement of the iPhone 14 series, Apple announced a permanent price cut that brings the starting price down to $599. This makes it a sensible buy for anyone who is currently looking for a powerful yet compact iPhone.

While the iPhone 13 mini doesn’t have the iPhone 14’s Crash Detection feature or the new TrueDepth front camera with autofocus, it is still a capable device. In fact, the one-year-old A15 Bionic (with a 4-core GPU) is the same chipset used on the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. And for those who aren't happy about Apple’s decision to ditch the SIM tray in favor of eSIMs on the iPhone 14, the iPhone 13 mini still has a slot for a physical SIM card.

Apple has finally announced the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), or AirPods Pro 2, as a successor to the AirPods Pro released three years ago, but what makes the new pair of earbuds different from the original? AirPods are practically the most popular earbuds in the world, with Apple selling millions of units yearly. One of the reasons why they sell so many units is because they easily get lost, just like any pair of earbuds.

Thousands of AirPods are reported missing every year worldwide, with a fair amount being just a single earbud. Apple charges $69 for a replacement left or right AirPod and $89 for a replacement AirPod Pro. Some lose their charging case, and for that, Apple charges $79 for the wireless charging case or MagSafe charging case for the AirPods 3 and older and $10 extra for the AirPods Pro.

The AirPods Pro 2 doesn't look different from the original. They still have stems and an in-ear design and are rated IPX4 (including the case) for sweat and water resistance. However, the charging case has received some new additions, such as a speaker and a lanyard loop. The new AirPods Pro 2 are also a tiny bit lighter at 5.3 grams per earbud compared to the 5.4 grams weight of the previous generation. Furthermore, Apple is still sticking to a single color option, so buyers will only be able to purchase the new AirPods Pro 2 in white.

AirPods Pro 2 Vs. AirPods Pro: ANC, Spatial Audio & Battery

The new AirPods Pro 2 has the same dynamic drivers and amplifiers as the AirPods Pro. However, a new H2 chip replaces the H1 chip inside the AirPods Pro. This new chip brings improvements to several features of the AirPods Pro, such as active noise cancelation, improved 3D audio (spatial audio) and better battery life. In addition, Apple says users will be able to create 'Personalized Spatial Audio,' based on the geometry of their head using the TrueDepth camera on their iPhones.

Like the AirPods Pro, the new earbuds have a force sensor for controlling playback and calls. There is also a touch sensor that users can swipe up and down to adjust the volume, a feature missing from the first-generation model. Another significant change is the charging case. Apple has added a speaker to the case so that it can emit a sound and be easily found using the Find My app, and with a U1 chip inside, just like in the AirTag, there is precision finding. The case also emits a sound when the battery is low and when pairing is complete. In addition, it retains the Lightning port for charging. It also supports MagSafe wireless charging.

The new AirPods Pro 2 also pairs instantly with the iPhone via Bluetooth 5.3, has hands-free "Hey Siri" support, as well as Audio Sharing and automatic switching between Apple devices connected to the same account. Concerning battery life, the AirPods Pro 2 last up to six hours on a single charge and a total of 30 hours with the charging case. This is an improvement over the 4.5 hours of the AirPods Pro and 24 hours total with the MagSafe charging case. As expected, there is support for fast charging — a five-minute charge will provide up to one hour of use. Despite all the new features, Apple has kept the price of the AirPods Pro 2 unchanged at $249. Apple also ships the AirPods Pro 2 with four pairs of silicone tips, including a new extra-small size.