As the new iPhones start to arrive in buyers' hands, we examine what we've learned about them and that iPhone Air MagSafe battery, plus how Meta thinks it's got the Apple Vision Pro beat, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.
As this episode was recorded, the curious MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone Air had already arrived at the home of one of your hosts, while it seemed as if the very air was full of iPhone parcels. Possibly as a displacement activity while we waited for the iPhones to ship, we get really detailed about that MagSafe battery.
But there's a sense that this year's launch is unusually successful, certainly in China, and there is a huge amount to talk about. Such as whether Apple has been very clever with how it positioned each of the four new iPhone models.
And also whether it has been a little too generous with the base ones. The iPhone 17 is now exceptional and will surely tempt some people away from the more expensive Pro models.
Then there's the similar situation with the Apple Watch Series 11. As ever, that sits between the low-end Apple Watch SE and the higher-end Apple Watch Ultra, but this year it's harder than ever to see who would settle for that middle option.
BONUS: Subscribe via Patreon or Apple Podcasts to hear AppleInsider+, the extended edition. This time, Meta has just launched its Meta Ray Ban Display glasses and to some people, that's one in the (two) eyes for Apple with its vastly more expensive Apple Vision Pro. But for others, it's Meta fundamentally backing the wrong horse.
Contact your hosts:
- @WGallagher on Twitter
- William's 58keys on YouTube
- William Gallagher on email
- @hillithreads on Threads
- Wes on Bluesky
- Wes Hilliard on emaill
Sponsored by:
- OpenCase: Go now to TheOpenCase.com and use promo code "appleinsider" for 10% off
- CleanMyMac by MacPaw: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code APPLEINSIDER20 for 20% off at clnmy.com/AppleInsiderPodcast
Links from the show:
- New in iOS 26 beta 5: Camera and Mail toggles, Apple Watch display leak, more
- iPhone 17 Pro Max sees shipping date slip immediately, but iPhone Air does not
- Apple breaks records in China with high iPhone 17 preorders
- MagSafe Battery for iPhone Air absolutely does not fit properly on anything else
- Baseus PicoGo MagSafe batteries review: all better than Apple's new one
- AirPods Pro 3 review: The best true wireless earbuds get even better
- Apple Watch Series 11 review roundup: Battery life is the biggest benefit
- Apple Watch Ultra 3 review roundup: excellent and much-needed upgrade
- Apple Watch SE 3 review roundup: who needs the Series 11?
- iPhone Air review roundup: Slim but not perfect
- iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max review roundup — fast, excellent, and orange
- Apple to release software fix for iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro camera issues
- iOS 26 review: Smart, glassy, but waiting on Siri
- iPadOS 26 review: The Mac lover's tablet update
- visionOS 26 review: a necessary evolution in need of new hardware
- macOS Tahoe review — a strong update, just not for the reasons you expect
- Liquid Glass causing a disorientating illusion for some iPhone users
- Apple Glass without AR still expected in late 2026, early 2027
- iPhone 18 Pro rumored to feature 'slightly transparent' back glass
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