3 Apple devices you shouldn't buy this month, and 10 I recommend

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ZDNET's key takeaways

The AirTag gets a surprise update.
A $999 13-inch MacBook powered by iPhone chips is also expected soon.
Sales for the Vision Pro continue to be disappointing.

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, already releasing a well-timed update to its Fitness+ subscription service and a surprise update to AirTags.

The new, updated AirTag looks the same (and is the same dimensions) as the old device, but offers better precision-finding range and a speaker that's about 50% louder.

Also: AirTag 2 vs. AirTag 1: I compared both Bluetooth trackers, and the winner is not so obvious

So, what else is likely to be happening at Apple over the coming 12 months? While the company 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.

Peering into my crystal ball, I think AI will be a big focus for Apple this year, as Siri lags 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 are still a small, niche market, but other manufacturers are testing the market. 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 with iPhone chips, which will be the cheapest MacBook to date, and could launch in the coming weeks.

Also: I put away my AirTag just minutes after trying this Bluetooth tracker alternative - here's why

Another mystery is Apple's approach to 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 Apple has done a really good job of updating its product lineup over the past year, there are still a few things that are old and outdated -- and some are very outdated indeed:

13/15-inch MacBook Air: The existing hardware is hitting the year-old mark, and new, upgraded hardware is in the pipeline for early 2026.
Apple TV 4K: The current 3rd-generation Apple TV 4K was released in October 2022, and while it still does the job, an upgraded version with a faster processor, Apple Vision support, and AI support is rumored to arrive sometime early this year.
HomePod mini: Think the current Apple TV 4K is old? The HomePod mini first hit the shelves back in October of 2020 -- yes, over five years ago. An update is rumored to land in the spring of this year, and the device should get a significant performance, networking, and sound-quality upgrade, as well as better Siri and AI support.

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. AirTag 2

First released in April 2021, the AirTags have finally had an updated. While the updated tags are dimensionally the same as the previous generation hardware (so they are still compatible with all the third-party stuff out there), these new tags do bring some improvements to the table.

Also: The best Bluetooth trackers of 2026: Our top picks to keep tabs on your stuff

First, a 50% louder speaker that makes the tag much easier to find when your keys end up behind the couch. Also, precision finding gets a big distance upgrade thanks to the new U2 ultrawideband chip.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 core functionality 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.

5. 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 2026: 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.

6. 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

7. Mac Studio

Apple's pro-grade alternative to the Mac mini also saw a 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

8. 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.

9. 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. A Mac Mini with the 10-core CPU and GPU model, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage costs only $599.

10. 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, and 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.

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

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

Apple added $100 to the price of the iPhone 17 lineup, but made things more opaque by changing 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.

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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