How to pick the perfect iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, iPod, Mac, or Apple TV for your or yours!
Apple has several different and sometimes overlapping product lines these days. Within each line are also several different and sometimes overlapping products. If you're looking for an iPhone or an iPod, an iPad or a Mac, an Apple Watch or an Apple TV, how do you know what to buy — or more importantly, when to buy? Easy, you have this guide!
iPhone | iPad | Watch | TV | iPod | Mac
iPhone
The iPhone is the phone everyone wants. Currently the latest and greatest is the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, but the year-old iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are still around at a lower price, as is the now entry-level iPhone 5s. (Though the iPhone SE is rumored to replace is very soon.)
Read the complete iPhone buyers guide
iPhone 6s
Buy now | Released September 2015
9/19/2015
0 days since release
360 days, on average, between releases
The iPhone 6s includes a 4.7-inch 1334x750 Retina display at 326 ppm, shoots 12 mp photos and takes 4K video. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9 chipset, 2 GB of memory, and 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options. It includes 3D Touch, Live Photos, second-generation Touch ID, and Apple Pay. Available in space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold, it runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $650 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released September 2015. Will likely be replaced by iPhone 7 in September 2016.
Bottom-line: If you want a phone, you want the iPhone 6s.
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iPhone 6s Plus
Buy now | Released September 2015
9/19/2015
166 days since release
360 days, on average, between releases
The iPhone 6s Plus includes a 5.5-inch 1920x1080 Retina display at 401 ppm, shoots optically stabilized 12 mp photos and takes 4K video. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9 chipset, 2 GB of memory, and 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options. It includes 3D Touch, Live Photos, second-generation Touch ID, and Apple Pay. Available in space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold, it runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $750 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released September 2015. Will likely be replaced by iPhone 7 in September 2016.
Bottom-line: If you want a phone that's also a tiny tablet, you want the iPhone 6s Plus.
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iPhone 6
Buy now | Price reduced September 2015
9/19/2015
216 days since last price drop
360 days, on average, between releases
The iPhone 6 includes a 4.7-inch 1334x750 Retina display at 326 ppm, shoots 8 mp photos and takes 1080p video. It has a second-generation 64-bit Apple A8 chipset, 1 GB of memory, and 16 GB and 64 GB storage options. It includes Touch ID and Apple Pay. Available in space gray and silver, it runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $550 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released September 2014. Price reduced September 2015. Will likely be discontinued September 2016.
Bottom-line: If you don't need 3D Touch or a 12 megapixel 4K camera, and want to save $100, you want the iPhone 6.
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iPhone 6 Plus
Buy now | Price reduced September 2015
9/19/2015
216 days since last price drop
360 days, on average, between releases
The iPhone 6 Plus includes a 5.5-inch 1920x1080 Retina display at 401 ppm, shoots optically stabilized 8 mp photos and takes 1080p video. It has a second-generation 64-bit Apple A8 chipset, 1 GB of memory, and 16 GB and 64 GB storage options. It includes Touch ID and Apple Pay. Available in space gray and silver, it runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $650 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released September 2014. Price reduced September 2015. Will likely be discontinued September 2016.
Bottom-line: If you don't need 3D Touch or a 12 megapixel 4K camera but do want a large-screen phone, and want to save $100, you want the iPhone 6 Plus.
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iPhone SE
Buy now | Released March 2016
3/31/2016
13 days since last update
912 days, on average, between releases
The iPhone SE includes a 4-inch 1136x640 Retina display at 326 ppm, shoots 12 mp photos and takes 4K video. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9 chipset, 2 GB of memory, and 16 GB and 64 GB storage options. It includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, is available in space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold, runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $399 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released March 2016. May be replaced in 2017 or 2018.
Bottom line: If you want a smaller phone, that's almost as good as an iPhone 6s, you want iPhone SE.
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iPad
iPads are the personal computer made even more personal. With larger multitouch screen, hundreds of thousands of tablet-optimized apps, and options for both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, they may not be as powerful as Macs, but they can be even more empowering.
Read the complete iPad buyers guide
12.9-inch iPad Pro
Buy Now | Released November 2015
11/11/2015
13 days since release
365 days, on average, between releases
The bigger iPad Pro has 12.9-inch, 2732x2048 laminated display at 264 ppi. Shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9X chipset, 4 GB of memory, and 32 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB storage options. Includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, Split View apps. Compatible with Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. Available in space gray, silver, or gold. Plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS 9, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Cellular/LTE available on 128 GB and 256 GB model. Starts at $799.
Status: Released November 2015. May be updated to iPad Pro 2 in 2016 or 2017.
Bottom line: If you want a the biggest and most powerful iPad money can buy, you want the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
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9.7-inch iPad Pro
Buy Now | Released March 2016
3/31/2016
13 days since release
365 days, on average, between releases
The smaller iPad Pro has 9.7-inch, 2048x1536 laminated display at 264 ppi. Shoots 12mp photos, Live Photos, and takes 4K videos. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9X chipset, 2 GB of memory, and 32 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB storage options. Includes True Tone, Touch ID, Apple Pay, Split View apps. Compatible with Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. Available in space gray, silver, gold, or rose gold. Plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS 9, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Cellular/LTE available on all models model. Starts at $599.
Status: Released March 2016. May be updated to iPad Pro 2 in 2017 or 2018.
Bottom line: If you want a the biggest and most powerful iPad money can buy — but you want it in the original iPad size — you want the 9.7 inch iPad Pro.
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iPad Air 2
Buy now | Price reduced March 2016
10/22/2014
13 days since release
330 days, on average, between releases
The iPad Air 2 has a 9.7-inch 2048x1536 laminated display at 264 ppi. It shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos. It has a second-generation 64-bit Apple A8X chipset, 2 GB of memory, 16 GB and 64 GB storage options, includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, and Split View apps. Available in space gray, silver, or gold, it plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS 9, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Cellular/LTE available. Starts at $399.
Status: Released October 2014. Price dropped in March 2016. May be discontinued in 2017 or 2018.
Bottom line: If you want a 9.7-inch iPad but at the lowest cost of entry possible, you want the iPad Air 2.
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iPad mini 4
Buy now | Updated September 2016
9/9/2015
13 days since release
347 days, on average, between releases
The iPad mini 4 has a 7.9-inch 2048x1536 laminated display at 326 ppi. It shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos. It has a second-generation 64-bit Apple A8 chipset, 2 GB of memory, 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options, includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, and Split View apps. Available in space gray, silver, or gold, it plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS 9, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Cellular/LTE available. Starts at $399.
Status: Released September 2015. May be replaced by iPad mini 5 in 2016 or 2017.
Bottom line: If you want the most portable iPad possible, you want the iPad mini.
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iPad mini 2
Buy now | Price reduced September 2015
9/9/2015
13 days since last price drop
347 days, on average, between releases
The iPad mini 2 has a 7.9-inch 2048x1536 laminated display at 326 ppi. It shoots 5mp photos and takes 1080p videos. It has a first-generation 64-bit Apple A7 chipset, 1 GB of memory, and 16 GB and 64 GB. Available in space gray or silver, it plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS 9, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Cellular/LTE available. Starts at $269.
Status: Released November 2013. Price reduced October 2014 and again September 2015.
Bottom line: If you don't care about Touch ID, Apple Pay, or the latest chipsets, but want a small sized tablet, you want the iPad mini 2.
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Apple Watch
Apple Watch is the opposite of other Apple devices—it's not about how much time you can immerse yourself in it, but how much time it can save you. For time keeping, notifications and communications, health and fitness tracking, remote control, and more, it's Apple's best product yet.
Read the complete Apple Watch buyers guide
Apple Watch Sport
Buy now | Released March 2015
4/24/2015
13 days since release
550 days, on average, between releases
The Apple Watch Sport comes with a 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display protected by ion-x glass in a silver, space gray, gold, or rose gold 7000 series case. The silver case comes paired with a white, orange, or blue fluoroelastomer sport band. The space gray case comes paired with a black sport band. The rose gold case comes paired with a lavender or stone sport band. The gold case comes paired with an antique white or midnight blue sport band. It runs watchOS 2 and watchOS apps, including built-in messaging, phone, mail, maps, calendar, wallet and Apple Pay, and much more. Starts at $349.
Status: Released April 2015. Updated with new colors and bands September 2015. May be replaced with an Apple Watch Sport 2 in September 2016.
Bottom line: If you want a light watch for athletics, or an entry-level watch, you want Apple Watch Sport.
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Apple Watch (Stainless Steel)
Buy now | Released March 2015
4/24/2015
13 days since release
550 days, on average, between releases
The Apple Watch comes with a 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display protected by sapphire crystal in a stainless steel or space black steel case. The stainless steel case comes paired with a red sport band, white sport band, brown classic buckle, black classic buckle, midnight blue modern buckle, pink modern buckle, midnight blue leather loop, stone leather loop, milanese loop, or link bracelet. The space black case comes paired with a black sport band or link bracelet. It runs watchOS 2 and watchOS apps, including built-in messaging, phone, mail, maps, calendar, wallet and Apple Pay, and much more. Starts at $549.
Status: Released April 2015. May be replaced with an Apple Watch 2 in September 2016.
Bottom line: If you want higher quality materials and a more classic look, you want the Apple Watch.
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Apple Watch Hermès
Buy now | Released September 2015
10/5/2015
13 days since release
550 days, on average, between releases
The Apple Watch Hermès comes with a 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display protected by sapphire crystal in a stainless steel case. The case comes paired with a single tour in Fauvre (brown), Noir (black). 38mm Fauvre (brown), Noir (black), Capucine (red), a double tour in Fauve (brown), Etain (gray), Capucine (red), and Bleu Jean (blue), or a cuff in Fauve (brown). It runs watchOS 2 and watchOS apps, including built-in messaging, phone, mail, maps, calendar, wallet and Apple Pay, and much more. Starts at $549.
Status: Released September 2015. May be replaced with an Apple Watch Hermès 2 in September 2016.
Bottom line: If you want an Apple Watch with a Hermès flair, you want Apple Watch Hermès.
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Apple Watch Edition
Buy now | Released March 2015
4/24/2015
13 days since release
550 days, on average, between releases
The Apple Watch Edition comes with a 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display protected by sapphire crystal in a yellow gold or rose gold case. The rose gold case comes paired with a white sport band, rose gray modern buckle, or midnight blue modern buckle. The yellow gold case comes paired with a black sport band, bright red modern buckle, or black classic buckle. It runs watchOS 2 and watchOS apps, including built-in messaging, phone, mail, maps, calendar, wallet and Apple Pay, and much more. Starts at $10,000.
Status: Released April 2015. May be replaced with an Apple Watch Edition 2 in 2016.
Bottom line: If you're a jet-setter who only ever wears gold, you want the Apple Watch Edition.
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Apple TV
With the Apple TV you can have everything you love about your iPhone or iPad in your living room, meeting room, or class room, and on your big screen TV or projector. You can even beam media and mirror screens from your devices to your Apple TV. It takes the best personal experience in apps and content and makes it the best shared experience.
Read the Apple TV buyers guide
Apple TV (2015)
Buy now | Updated October 2015
10/30/2015
0 days since release
804 days, on average, between releases
The new Apple TV has a dual-core 64-bit Apple A8 chipset, 32 or 64 GB of storage, HDMI, Ethernet, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, IR, Dolby 7.1, 1080p 60fps, Siri Remote. It runs tvOS and tvOS apps. Starts at $149.
Status: Released October 2015. May be replaced by a 5th generation Apple TV in 2016 or 2017.
Bottom-line: If you want easy access to iTunes, AirPlay, and App Store in your living room, you want the Apple TV.
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Apple TV (2012)
Buy now | Price reduced March 2015
3/7/2012
0 days since release
2800 days, on average, between releases
The previous generation Apple TV has a single core Apple A5 chipset, 8 GB of storage, HDMI, optical audio, Ethernet, 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, IR remote, Dolby 5.1. Starts at $49.
Status: Released in March 2012. Price dropped in March 2015.
Bottom-line: If you want a cheap way to stream content to your TV, and you don't care about Siri or apps, you want the previous generation Apple TV.
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iPod
There are two kinds of iPods: the iPod touch, which is the smallest and least expensive way to get onto iOS and the App Store; and the iPods nano and shuffle, which provide traditional media playback capabilities in extremely portable form.
iPod touch
Buy now | Updated July 2015
7/15/2015
216 days since release
625 days, on average, between releases
The iPod touch includes a 4-inch Retina display. Apple A8 processor. Shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos. Has Apple A8 chipset, 1GB of RAM, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options. Available in space gray, silver, gold, pink, blue, and red (Apple Store exclusive). Runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs millions of App Store apps and games. Starts at $199.
Status: Updated July, 2015. A new iPod touch might be released in 2016 or 2017… or 2018.
Bottom-line: If you want the smallest, least expensive way into the App Store, you want the iPod touch.
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iPod nano
Buy now | Refreshed July 2015
9/12/2012
216 days since release
6000 days, on average, between releases
The iPod nano has a 2.5-inch multitouch display. 16GB of storage. Includes apps for music, podcasts, video, exercise (pedometer, Nike+). Includes Bluetooth and FM radios. Available in space gray, gold, silver, pink, blue, and product red (Apple Store exclusive). Weighs only 31 grams. No networking, no Apple Music, requires USB cable and iTunes. Starts only $149.
Status: Refreshed July 2015. A bit.
Bottom-line: If an iPod touch is just too much, and all you want is a good amount of audio and video to keep you company at the gym, on a run, or on a trip, in the absolute smallest, lightest package available, get the iPod nano.
Buy an iPod nano
iPod shuffle
Buy now | Refreshed July 2015
9/1/2010
216 days since release
8000 days, on average, between releases
The iPod shuffle has 2GB of storages (enough for hundreds of songs), 15 hours of battery life. Convenient clip, available in space gray, gold, silver, pink, blue, and product red (Apple Store exclusive). Weighs only 12.5 grams. No networking, no Apple Music, requires USB cable and iTunes. Costs only $49.
Status: Refreshed July 2015.
Bottom-line: Whether you're exercising or traveling, if you want just enough music, podcasts, and audiobooks to get you through your workout or work day, and you don't want an Apple Watch, get the iPod shuffle.
Buy from Apple
Mac
Apple makes a wide range of traditional computers, from laptop to desktop, from entry-level to state-of-the-art. For anyone who wants or needs everything a keyboard and mouse driven machine has to offer, there's a great Mac gift waiting.
Read the complete Mac buyers guide
MacBook
Wait | Update due
4/10/2015
216 days since release
365 days, on average, between releases
The new MacBook has a 12-inch Retina display. Intel CoreM processor. USB-C port. Up to Core i7. Up to 8GB of RAM. Up to 512GB of flash storage. Runs OS X and full desktop-class software. Weighs only 2 lbs. 9 hours of battery life. Force Touch trackpad. Starting at $1299.
Status: Released April 2015. May be replaced summer 2016.
Bottom line: The closest Mac to an iPad, for those who want portability above all else.
Buy from Apple
MacBook Pro
Wait | Update due
5/19/2015
216 days since release
325 days, on average, between releases
The MacBook Pro has a 13- or 15-inch Retina displays. Dual-core i5 or quad-core i7 processors. USB 3 and ThunderBolt 2 ports. Up to 16GB of RAM. Up to 1TB of flash storage. 9 to 10 hours of batter life. AMD Radeon graphics option. Weighs only 3.48 or 4.49 lbs. Force Touch trackpad. Starts at $1299.
Status: Updated in March and May, 2015. Will be updated agin in 2016.
Bottom-line: If you want desktop performance in a laptop, get the MacBook Pro.
Buy from Apple
MacBook Air
Wait | Update due
3/9/2015
216 days since release
332 days, on average, between releases
The MacBook Air has 11 or 13-inch screen. Intel i5 or i7 processors. USB 3 and ThunderBolt ports. Up to Core i7. Up to 8GB of RAM. Up to 512GB of flash storage. Runs OS X and full desktop-class software. Weighs only 2.38 or 2.96lbs. 9 or 12 hours of battery life. Starts at $899.
Status: Updated March 2015 with Intel Broadwell chipsets.
Bottom-line: If you want a less-expensive but still highly portable MacBook, get a MacBook Air. If you need maximum portability, get the 11-inch model. If you need more pixels, get the 13-inch model.
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Mac mini
Wait | Update due
10/16/2014
216 days since release
592 days, on average, between releases
The Mac mini has a dual-core i5 or i7 processors. USB 3, Ethernet, HDMI, Thunderbolt 2, USB 3 ports. 2GB, 8GB, or 16GB of RAM. Up to 1TB of flash or Fusion drive. Starts at $499.
Status: Updated October 2014. Will likely be updated again in 2015.
Bottom-line: If you want a Mac for your server rack or home server closet, to add to an existing PC setup, or to use as a home theater, get a Mac mini.
Buy from Apple
iMac
Buy now - Updated October 2015
10/15/2015
216 days since release
406 days, on average, between releases
The iMac has a 21.5-inch with optional Retina 4K display, quad-core Intel "Broadwell" i5 or optional i7 processors, integrated Irish Pro graphics, up to 16 GB of memory, 1 TB hard drive with optional Fusion Drive up to 2 TB or flash drive up to 512 GB. 27-inch with standard Retina 5K display, quad-core Intel "Skylake" i5 or optional i7 processors, AMD M380 graphics with options up to M395x, up to 32 GB of memory, 1 TB hard drive with optional Fusion Drive up to 3 TB or flash drive up to 1 GB. Both sizes have Ethernet, UBS 3, and ThunderBolt 2 ports. Starts at $1099.
Status: Updated October 2015.
Bottom-line: If you want an incredibly powerful Mac with the best built-in displays in the business, get an iMac.
Buy from Apple
Mac Pro
Wait | Update due
12/19/2013
216 days since release
614 days, on average, between releases
The Mac Pro offers massively parallel computing with up to 8-core Xeon E5 processor. Up to 64GB RAM. Up to dual AMD FirePro D700 graphics cards. Up to 1TB of flash storage. Up to three 4K displays, six Thunderbolt displays. 4x USB3, 6x Thunderbolt, 2x Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 1.4 UHD ports. 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0. Starts at $2999.
Status: Past due for an update.
Bottom-line: If you need a Mac with as many cores as possible, you need the Mac Pro.
Buy from Apple