3 Apple devices you probably shouldn't buy this year (yet!) and 9 that you should

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• This is likely the year Apple unveils a folding iPhone.
• A $999 13-inch MacBook powered by iPhone chips is also expected to be unveiled soon.
• Sales for the Vision Pro continue to be disappointing.

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Like a juggernaut, 2026 is here, and while most tech companies head straight to the yearly CES trade show extravaganza, Apple, a company that runs its own race, hasn’t had a significant presence there since 1992, and the days of the Newton. 

A new year means a new cycle of iPhone, iPads, and AirPods refreshes, not to mention a fair few Macs and MacBooks. And while the year might still be young, Apple has been busy and has already released a well-timed update to its Fitness+ subscription service.

So, what’s likely to be happening at Apple over the coming 12 months? While Apple is tight-lipped, some things, such as the yearly fall refresh of the iPhone, are a given, while other suggestions are mere rumors and speculation.

Also: CES 2026 news: Live updates on TVs, smart glasses, robots, and more we’ve seen so far

Peering into my crystal ball, I think that AI is going to be a big focus for Apple this year, as Siri is still lagging behind the competition despite being installed on pretty much every Apple product sold in the last few years. 

Another thing that we are likely to see this year is a foldable iPhone. Foldables is still a small, niche market, but it’s being tested by other smartphone makers. With smartwatches, Apple waited to see what the competition did and how the market reacted before stepping in. Samsung and Huawei have shown that people are interested in foldable phones, so it’s time for Apple to make its move.

There are also reasonably reliable indicators that Apple is preparing to release a $999 13-inch MacBook built using iPhone chips, which will be the cheapest MacBook to date, and could launch in the coming weeks.

Also: The most exciting AI tech I’ve tried at CES 2026 so far (including a cleaning robot)

Another mystery is what Apple does with the Apple Vision Pro headset. Data from tech analyst IDC estimated Apple sold 45,000 units in the last quarter of 2025. Experts have suggested the company has cut back advertising spending for the $3,500 spatial computer. 

The ‘buy at your peril’ list

While I’m fairly confident about these updates, there could still be some surprise updates:

1. AirTags 2: The updated hardware is expected to have better range and longer battery life, plus features that make stalking harder. 
2. HomePod mini 2: This device is expected to get a performance, networking, and sound-quality upgrade.
3. Apple TV 4K (4th gen): Faster processor, more built-in storage, and better and more reliable networking.

The ‘good to buy’ list

These Apple devices are worth buying now, since it’ll be a while before we see any further hardware upgrades:

1. iPhone 17 series

The iPhone 17 is now available with a faster A19 and A19 Pro processor, and improved camera and battery.

Also: Should you upgrade to an iPhone 17 Pro from last year’s model? I am – here’s why

The reviews almost write themselves by now. For those flush with cash, Apple offers the iPhone 17 Pro Max with 2TB of storage for a reassuring $1,999. There’s also a new iPhone model, the ultra-thin (well, excluding the camera bulge at the top) iPhone Air, which seems to replace the iPhone Plus line and attempts to unify Apple’s buzzwords.

2. Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3

The entire line of Apple Watches has been upgraded, focusing on health metrics, especially hypertension alerting (a feature that’s also coming to older Apple Watches). 

Also: I tried the Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and SE – what the keynote didn’t tell you

There’s an Apple Watch at every price point, from $249 for the SE 3 to $899 for the Ultra 3 with the neat titanium Milanese band.

3. AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 3 received significant upgrades, including enhanced noise cancellation, improved audio quality, increased battery life, and a new feature: heart rate detection. This was an interesting shift for Apple as it moved some of the core functionality found in the Apple Watch to another device.

Also: With AirPods Pro 3, Apple pulled off something I thought impossible in a pair of earbuds

I’ve been using the AirPods Pro 3 since launch, and they’re a solid improvement on the previous release. If your old AirPods Pro are feeling their age, or you want a bit more than the standard AirPods offer, these buds are a fantastic upgrade. 

4. iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro

The iPad Air, kitted out with the M3 chip, received a refresh in March 2025. Prices start at $599 for the 11-inch version and $799 for the 13-inch version. At the same time, the iPad also got a performance boost, thanks to the A16 chip. Prices for this tablet start at $350.

Also: The 5 best iPads of 2025: We’ve tested every iPad available – these are the best ones

Updated M5-powered iPad Pro tablets also landed late last year, with prices starting at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model.

5. MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro line got a somewhat confusing refresh late last year. A new 14-inch base model received the M5 treatment, while higher-end 14- and 16-inch models stick with the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. The 14-inch M5 model starts at $1,599 and is available for preorder now.

Also: I compared the M5 MacBook Pro to older Mac models – here’s my buying advice in 2025

6. Mac Studio

Apple’s pro-grade alternative to the Mac mini also saw a serious processing boost in March 2025, with the M4 Max and M3 Ultra offered in a range of configurations. Prices start at $1,999 but can reach $14,099 for a fully tricked-out system.

Also: I replaced my Windows PC with a Mac Studio for a week – here are my takeaways so far

7. iMac

In October 2024, the M4 iMac received a refresh to bring it up to speed with Apple Intelligence. With specs ranging from an eight-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage priced at $1,299, all the way up to a 10-core CPU and GPU, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,899, there’s an iMac to suit most workloads and budgets.

8. Mac Mini

Apple’s smallest Mac got an upgrade in October 2024 to the M4 and M4 Pro processors. It’s also the cheapest Mac you can buy, as a Mac Mini with the 10-core CPU and GPU model, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage costs only $599.

9. iPad Mini

The 2024 iPad Mini was introduced in October 2024, replacing the three-year-old model with one powered by an A17 Pro chip that’s Apple Intelligence-ready. The device comes in a range of colors — blue, purple, starlight, and space gray — and multiple storage capacities — 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Prices range from $499 to $799.

Tariff costs, trade wars, and cost reductions

Tariffs still dominate the news. One moment they’re on; next they’re off; then they’re on again with a list of ifs, buts, and exceptions that may or may not stick around.

According to Apple’s July 31 earnings call, tariffs cost the company approximately $800 million for the previous quarter and an additional $1.1 billion for the following quarter.

So, is Apple shouldering that tariff burden? Maybe not.

Apple added $100 to the price of the iPhone 17 lineup, but the company made things more opaque by stirring up the storage capacities. However, storage prices are low. Roughly, the industry average price is about $16 for 128GB and around $35 for 256GB — so that doesn’t account for all the price rise. 

Also: 8 ways to get more iPhone storage today – and most are free

Apple also switched the chassis from titanium to aluminum. Titanium is considerably more expensive than aluminum, around 2.5 to 3 times more per pound, depending on the alloy, which is quite a saving for a company making millions of iPhones.

So, is Apple swallowing the tariff costs? I’d say no, the consumer is paying, but they don’t notice it.

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