Among those notable releases were also a few minor ones, including the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro in new green colors. Apple also announced the inclusion of “Friday Night Baseball” in its streaming service Apple TV Plus, which will show two exclusive major league baseball games each week. Apple also managed to fit in time to tout awards that its Apple TV Plus has earned.
There’s always a lot of hype around new Apple products and the temptation to buy the newest devices. Let’s take a look at what’s being offered and what these new ones are replacing to decide if an immediate upgrade is really worth it.
Mac Studio
Apple unveiled a new processor designed in-house it’s calling the M1 Ultra. This chip is the combination of multiple M1 Max chips fused together. A chip in isolation is a bit boring, so Apple also announced a brand-new desktop computer called the Mac Studio to show off the power of the M1 Ultra.
The desktop looks like a taller Mac mini and includes six USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, an SDXC card slot, a headphone jack and a built-in Wi-Fi 6. The computer starts at $1,999 with an M1 Max chip and at $3,999 with an M1 Ultra chip. All configurations will be available on March 18.
Should you buy the Mac Studio? Yes. Creatives trying to push the boundaries with their video, audio or design content always want the most power to do more at a fast pace. Mac Studio will allow people to do those tasks faster than before. This computer isn’t cheap, but it is a good value for professionals.
Studio Display
The other half of the Mac Studio computer is an external monitor to use with it. Studio Display is a 27-inch 5K Retina monitor. It includes True Tone, a 12 megapixel ultrawide camera with Center Stage, a three-mic array, six integrated speakers and an A13 processor to power all of its features.
This new monitor starts at $1,599. It’s expensive, but it’s also a steal in the context of Apple’s only other option, the 32-inch 6K Pro Display XDR, which starts at $4,999, with the stand costing an extra $999.
Should you buy a new Apple monitor? No. Some people, me included, have been setting aside money for an external monitor from Apple for years. Even though the quality and experience should be top-notch, the value isn’t there to be able to recommend this to most people in the market for a computer monitor.
New iPad Air
The iPad Air has always been a great device, especially once it got a visual redesign in 2020 to look more like an iPad Pro. Today’s new update, with the powerful M1 processor, a 12 megapixel ultrawide front-facing camera with Center Stage, and 5G cellular connectivity (for an additional cost) feels meaningful.
The iPad Air still starts at $599 with 64GB of storage and goes up from there. If you want a 5G model, that option starts at $749.
Should you buy a new iPad Air? Yes. If you need a new iPad, this one is a great all-around choice for most people. It might not have all the features of the iPad Pro, but those differentiators can be hard to justify for the price. If you need a new iPad, this is probably the one you want—and Apple devices tend to offer the best value right after they’ve been updated.
New iPhone SE
The most notable upgrade for the iPhone SE is probably the inclusion of the 5G cellular modem. Now, from the low-cost entry iPhone to the newest iPhone 13 Pro, companies like T-Mobile and Verizon will have a 5G-connected iPhone to sell you.
Of course, the new SE should have better battery life and a faster processor, but it still comes in the same iPhone 8-looking design. If you want a home button with Touch ID, this phone will likely be one of your last chances to retain that feature.
Should you buy a new iPhone SE? No. This new iPhone SE is probably not a product to run out and buy now, but it’s a fine device to pick up when the time comes for a new phone. This entry level iPhone, priced starting at $429, is compelling now, with some updated internal components. But it will be there waiting when your current phone’s time has come to an end.
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