This buyer’s guide provides is our attempt to provide the best recommendation of all Apple products. The intent of this page is to get the best knowledge of current Apple product so you would not be in a situation where you are buying an Apple product at the end of the lifecycle.
Please check out our Product Roadmap to help plan your purchase. The last thing you want to do is to spend a lot of your money to buy an Apple product only to see it updates a week later.
iPhone
Budget | Value | Flagship | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
iPhone | iPhone SE 3 | iPhone 15 / iPhone 15 Plus | iPhone 15 Pro / iPhone 15 Pro Max | |
Features | A15 chip, TouchID, 4.7" LCD Screen | A18 Bionic chip, FaceID, 6.1" / 6.7" Liquid Retina Display, Dynamic Island, 2 lens camera system, Camera Control | A18 Pro chip, FaceID, 6.3" / 6.9" Liquid Retina Display, Dynamic Island, 3 lens camera system, Camera Control | |
Launched | March 2022 | September 2024 | ||
Launch Price | From $429 | iPhone 16 - $799 / iPhone 16 Plus - $899 | iPhone 16 Pro - $999 / iPhone 16 Pro Max - $1199 | |
Best Feature | The price | All around value. You get a lot for a smartphone and you don't really care about the pro features. | Pro features are really pro. ProRAW for photos, Log for videos, Spatial video recording, 5x zoom, 4K120. Those features are worth the price of admission. | |
Verdict | When you can own the phone from $5/month when you use a phone line plan, it's the cheapest way to get an iPhone. It has all the basic features that you need without any excess. If you just need a phone without thinking much about it, this one is the best | With trade-ins from Apple and cellular carrier, you probably could own these for next to nothing. The iPhone is now a mature product that upgrading is more like a every 2-3 years affair. | With trade-ins from cellular carrier, you probably could own these for next to nothing, so if you want all the pro features that Apple can put inside in the palm of your hand, these are the best iPhone Apple makes for now. | |
Next Expected Update | ?? | September 2025 |
The iPhone is Apple’s best selling product. It is a smartphone which literally help changed the world together with the Android platform. First introduced in 2007, the iPhone has grown from just a internet communicator, a phone and an iPod. Current iPhone line features a triple camera system in the rear, the front camera, retina display with HDR capabilities, Dolby Atmos sound, wireless charging and 5G.
The iPhone line-up has been updated last on a Apple special event in September 2021 and expected to be updated again in September 2022.
Current iPhone
Main article: iPhone 16 / iPhone 16 Pro overview
The iPhone is Apple’s amazing handheld computer that can do almost everything, but the Apple’s focus on iPhone are 3 things: taking great pictures, play games and be a part of Apple’s growing ecosystem. Here are some of the features of the iPhone 16
- 48MP main sensor. Can take do 2x zoom and take 4K60 in Dolby Vision HDR. There’s also night mode and do slow-mo upto 240 fps
- The camera array has been rearranged to enable taking spatial videos and spatial photos.
- A18 chip optimized for Apple Intelligence and gaming
- New Camera Control button sensor. It’s a solid state sensor that can act as both a button and a sensor. Press to click, slide your finger on the sensor to make adjustments
- bigger battery than previous generation.
Here’s the new features of the iPhone 16 Pro / iPhone 16 Pro Max:
- 48MP image sensor on the ultra wide lens. This is addition to the 48 MP sensor on the main lens.
- 5x zoom on the telephoto lens. This is equivalent of a 120mm lens on a 35mm film camera.
- A18 Pro chip. Fastest mobile chip in the industry with 2nd generation 3nm manufacturing.
- Camera Control button sensor, but there will be a 2-stage capture just like a real camera
- You can now capture videos up to 120fps in 4K Dolby Vision HDR. It also has log recording
- The images and videos can be capture in RAW format for later processing.
The next iPhone
For the past 10 years, new iPhone always comes out around in the September month. The exception was in 2020 when there was a global pandemic that basically restrict almost every human movement. Expect 2021 will be back on the same time table. Rumors about new iPhone features get louder and louder as September comes and we will update as we hear it. You can keep track of all Apple rumors in our convenient page.
iPhone Accessories
While not a requirement when using the iPhone, having these accessories will greatly enhance your experience when using the iPhone.
AirPods
While Apple removed the 3.5mm headphone jack since the iPhone 7, Apple does provide a Lighting-to-3.5mm connector if you wish to listen to a wired headphone. If you planning to listen to Lossless Audio on the Music App, you will need to use the connector for a full listening experience.
AirPods is a line of bluetooth earphones or headphones. Each of them have a specialized W-series chip to ensure fast connection to your Apple devices while act as a DAC to convert the digital signals to analog that you can view. The basic AirPods just provide wireless music. AirPods Pro has noise canceling feature and the AirPods Max is a full-blown headphones with a digital crown for volume control.
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch is a great companion to your iPhone. Furthermore, you need to use an iPhone to use Apple Watch’s functionality. The Apple Watch act as an extra screen for your iPhone and allows you to do tasks like answering messages, call people, track your workout session without opening up your phone. It can also work in conjunction with AirPods so you can control music (for example) by using your Apple Watch. Another scenario is you are wearing your AirPods and you can answer the phone with using your Apple Watch with out lifting your phone.
MagSafe
MagSafe is a new technology that is first introduced in the iPhone 12. Basically it is a series of magnets built around a charging coil. However, Apple added some communication component in the coils. There are a series of accessories both sold by Apple and third party that uses this new appendage. As expected, you can securely charge your phone using the MagSafe charger, attach a wallet or even a battery pack.
Cases
Of course, cases will not only protect your iPhone from falls and scratches, it also a way to personalize your phone to show to the world that while there are many iPhones in this world, this one is mine. 3rd party cases runs from the gamut from cheap $10 clear-coat to the $1000 Louis Vuitton Eye-Trunk.
Apple also produce their own cases that is made from various material like silicone to leather depending on your preferences.
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Apple smartphone chips vs Qualcomm over the years
The 8th wonder of the modern world is the development of the powerful smartphone System-On-a-Chip (SOC). We track the development of Apple’s A-series SOC which is consistently on the bleeding edge and compare them to their biggest competitor, Qualcomm’s SnapDragon.
iPad
Consumer | Mini | Prosumer | Professional | |
---|---|---|---|---|
iPad version | iPad (10th Gen) | iPad Mini | iPad Air | iPad Pro |
Features | A14 chip, TouchID, 10.9" screen, USB-C connector | A15 chip, TouchID, 8.3" screen, Apple Pencil 2 support | M2 chip, TouchID, 11"/13" screen, SmartConnect, Apple Pencil 2 / Apple Pencil Pro support | M4 chip, FaceID, 11"/13" screen, Multiple lens camera system, LIDAR scanner, flash, Retina XDR display, SmartConnect, ProMotion, Apple Pencil 2/Apple Pencil Pro support, upto 2TB of internal storage. |
Launch Date | October 2022 | September 2021 | May 2024 | May 2024 |
Launch Price | From $449; Revised to $329 in May 2024 | From $499 | From $599 | From $999 for 11", From $1299 for 12.9" |
Best Feature | The new standard iPad, at the new price. | The size. Great book reader. Same chip as the newly launched iPhone 13. | It's has around 80%-90% of iPad Pro features at half the price | FaceID and the best screen in Apple's iPad line up. Once you go ProMotion, you'll never go back |
Verdict | The gold standard of iPads. Good enough for the kids or content consumption. With the new price of $329, can't find fault with the iPad | iPad Mini was updated in September 2021 and it was a major upgrade. However, the price bump to $499 will deter potential buyers, but it is the most powerful iPad after the Pro at this juncture | It's good if you want the iPad Pro form factor and most of the features without paying all the premium price. Although iPad technology is so overpowered that a 2018 iPad Pro is not a bad proposition either | Apple's attempt as a laptop replacement. At launch, it has the most powerful processor in Apple's lineup. CPU performance even matching M2 Max despite a 5.1mm thin tablet. iPadOS is holding it back though |
The iPad is Apple’s line of table computers that was first introduced in 2007. The original iPad bought many firsts for Apple: first tablet, first custom chip, first mention of iOS (was first on the iPhone 4, but was redesigned for tablet in mind). Now the tablet has morphed into 3 distinct lines. The consumer is called the iPad or iPad Mini which means a content consumer device. The middle-tier is the iPad Air which has some of the features of the Pro models but a more approachable price. The top tier is the iPad Pro which is intended to be a laptop replacement device. The iPad Pro has many features that are not even available on the MacBook line up such as LIDAR scanner or MicroLED screen and is competitively priced against their own MacBook line. The iPads run on a special operating system called iPadOS which at the moment has features that are present in both iOS and macOS.
Current line up
Since inception, Apple has basically cornered the tablet market. For the most part, the tablet form factor is the perfect form factor for content consumption. Apple does indeed push the boundaries of what a tablet can do with the Pro series, but for the most part, iPads now are so overpowered over what most people use it for: media consumption, mobile games and drawing. The real Achilles heel of the iPad (especially the overpowered M2 Pro) is that iPadOS is basically a neutered version of macOS. With mouse, external monitor support (with stage manager), the iPad (even the new basic 10th Gen running on A15) can do so much more.
Update cycle:-
- iPad Pro (last update: Q2 2024, next expected update: Q2 2026)
- iPad Air (last update: Q2 2024, next expected update: Q2 2026)
- iPad (last update: Q4 2022, next update: Q1 2025)
- iPad Mini (last update: September 2021, next update: Q1 2025)
You can read the latest rumors in one convenient page here.
iPad Accessories
Although not a requirement to run any program in iPadOS, having accessories like a keyboard or pointing device can significantly enhance your experience using the iPad. You will also notice that some tasks like drawing are much easier with a pointing device like the Apple Pencil.
Since iPadOS 13, iPadOS has included mouse support. They are labeled as assistive devices but Apple on the other hand sells Magic Keyboard with built-in trackpad. Mouse and trackpad is not a requirement to use any of the iPadOS program, but just like the Apple Pencil, they contribute to a better overall experience when using certain programs.
- Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9" - Buy at Amazon
- Apple Magic Keyboard for 11" iPad Pro or iPad Air 4 - Buy at Amazon
- Apple Pencil 2 - Buy at Amazon
- Apple Pencil - Buy at Amazon
- Smart Keyboard - Buy at Amazon
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iPad Pro
The most powerful tablet is updated to become one of the most powerful portable computers in the planet. Will Apple update the iPadOS to unleash the full potential?
iPad Lineup
iPad is the ultimate content consuming device. The iPad line up has been updated in September 2021 and made the best selling tablet in the world even stronger. The new iPad Mini is the new powerhouse of the iPad lineup.
iPad Mini vs iPhone Pro Max
Apple updated the iPhone Pro line up and supercharged the iPad Mini into a powerhouse. Now iPad Mini has the same chip as the iPhone Pro. Which is the right choice? The superphone or the pocket rocket iPad?
Mac
Consumer | Professional | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Laptop | Desktop | Laptop | Desktop | |
Mac | MacBook Air; M3 MacBook Pro | Mac Mini / iMac | MacBook Pro | Mac Studio / Mac Pro |
Features | M3 chip; 13.6-inch / 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, TouchID Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, Air cooled design M3 chip; 13.3-inch Display, TouchBar with TouchID, Active cooling | Mac Mini: - M2 Chip, 2x Thunderbolt ports, 2x USB-A ports, HDMI, Ethernet (10G optional); Memory up to 24 GB, storage up to 2 TB; - M2 Pro Chip, 4x Thunderbolt 4 ports, 2x USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet (10G optional), Memory up to 32 GB, Storage up to 8 TB; iMac: M1 Chip, 4.5K 24" Monitor, 4x USB-C ports (2 or Thunderbolt), Ethernet | 14" and 16" Model
Entry level: 14" M3 with 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports; 8GB, 16GB, or 24GB of memory. 512GB to 2TB of storage; Mid-Tier Level: 14"/16" M3 Pro with 3 Thunderbolt 4 Ports. 18GB or 36GB of memory. 512GB to 4TB of storage; High-End Level: 14"/16" M3 Max with 3 Thunderbolt 4 Ports. 32Gb, 48GB, 64GB, 96GB or 128GB of memory. 512 to 8TB of storage; | Mac Studio: M2 Max / M2 Ultra chip. Mac Pro: M2 Ultra. 24 compute cores: Upto 76 GPU cores, up to 192 GB RAM. Up to 8TB internal storage. 6x PCIe slots. |
Launch Date | M3 13"/15" MacBook Air: March 2024 M3 MacBook Pro: Nov 2023 | M2 Mac Mini: January 2023 M2 Pro Mini: January 2023 M3 iMac: Nov 2023 | M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max MacBook Pro: October 2023 | M2 Max / M2 Ultra Mac Studio: Jun 2023 M2 Ultra Mac Pro: Jun 2023 |
Launch Price | From $1099 for 13" MacBook Air; From $1299 for 15" MacBook Air | Mac Mini: From $599; iMac: From $1299 | 14" M3: From $1,599; 14" M3 Pro: $1,999; 16" M3 Pro: $2,499 | Mac Studio: From $1999; Mac Pro: From $6999 |
Best Feature | MacBook Air: brand new design that is thinner, bigger screen, air cooled MacBook Pro: active cooling for sustained workload | iMac: Design. Will look good in your kitchen. Mac Mini: Cheapest Mac in the lineup, but the most capable Mac due to sheer possibility of putting accessories to the mix. For the power user, the $1,599 base Mac Mini M2 Pro is a lot of bang for your buck. | MacBook Pro has the most powerful chip in Apple's arsenal right now. You can configure from the base M3 (which has improved graphics) all to the mobile monster with M3 Max that supports 128GB of memory. | The $1299 M2 Pro Mac Mini can deliver the same performance if you are not a graphic intensive user (programmer / music creator). However, if you need some graphic heavy lifting, Apple has you covered with the M2 Max / M2 Ultra Mac Studio. For $1999, there is a lot of value with the M2 Max. The $3999 M2 Ultra is quite steep for most people and unless your workflow requires large amount of memory, you can get away with the M2 Max Mac Pro: Ultimate Mac. Customization. The people who are in the market for a $6999 Mac Pro are serious people with serious business. Pros have been begging for a Apple Silicon Mac Pro and Apple delivered. The only gripe is the upper memory limit is "only" 192 GB, but very few people need more than that much memory. Perhaps Apple will amp up the configuration with the need arises? |
Verdict | MacBook Air: If you are looking for everyday laptop, this is the best laptop in the world. If you strapped for cash, Apple still sell the M1 MacBook Air for $999. MacBook Pro: M2 with air cooling gives best in class performance if you can't afford the proper M1 Max MacBook Pro. | iMac is one solid all-in-one desktop. It's a no-worries computing solution. The Mac Mini is powerful enough to do anything and the beauty of it you can accessorize it to your liking | Standard work horse for professional on the go. Can't go wrong with this one. | Mac Studio: If the M2 Pro Mac Mini is limited, the M2 Ultra is the last word in performance for many. Mac Pro: For the true professional that is a part of a serious production house. If you think the entry price is too high, this one is not for you. |
Related: Overview of the desktop Mac lineup; MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro
Mac stands for Mouse Activated Computer and is one of the earliest Apple product. Continuously on sale since the 1980s, Apple together with Microsoft and Intel has been shaping the personal computing world and has not been stop doing ever since. The personal computer in Steve Jobs words is “bicycle for the mind”. You can certainly do more with Macs and other PCs and now supplement, and sometimes replaced, by other devices like iPhones, iPads and Apple Watch, you can certainly do more today than just 5-6 years ago.
Since re-taking over the Apple company in the late 1990s, Steve Jobs have trimmed the Mac line up into just 4 product categories. The only modification is there is two consumer desktop offerings: the iMac and the Mac Mini. Since then, the Mac product line up has not change much since early 2000.
Usage vs Target Market | Consumer | Professional |
---|---|---|
Laptop | MacBook Air | MacBook Pro |
Desktop | Mac Mini / iMac | Mac Studio / Mac Pro |
Laptops
MacBooks occupy at the premium segment of the laptop market. Contrary to popular belief, they are quite cost competitive compared to their peers. If you are looking something that is capable but at a lower budget, my advice is to look for iPad as a lot of the tasks that can be accomplish on the Mac can be done on the iPad. Software development, multi-user environment and enterprise software is one of the few domains that the Macs still have an edge over the iPads.
Since the introduction of the M1 chips, the MacBook has shown to be a good value proposition since they can match or even beat the best from Intel or even AMD. As of now, the major difference between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro is sustained workload handling. While the MacBook Air has passive cooling, which means that under heavy workloads, the MacBook Air will thermal throttle itself after around 10 minutes of workload while the MacBook Pro will carry on.
Apple updated the MacBook Pro to an all new design featuring a 14" and 16" form factor. It introduce new M-series chips dubbed M1 Pro and M1 Max which rivals desktop class chip that is even more power efficient that the Intel own powerful chips. Truly a unique product in the market.
Update cycle
- MacBook Air (last update: Q3 2022, next expected update: unknown, possibly Q4 2023)
- 15" MacBook Air introduce in Q3 2023
- MacBook Pro (last update: Q3 2022 for the base 13", Q1 2023 for 14" and 16" , next expected update: ~Q1 2024)
Where to buy?
Desktop
Desktop Mac runs from the gamut that is the basic $599 Mac Mini which does not comes with anything to the $50,000 Mac Pro that find its home in large production houses that makes $200 million movies. Both the Mac Mini and the Mac Pro are customizer’s delight. You can basically personalize the Mac to fit your needs. The iMac is an all-in-one desktop solution that is well made and capable.
Update Cycle
- Mac Mini (last update: Q1 2023, next expected update: ~Q1 2024)
- iMac 24" (last update: Q2 2021, next expected update: ~Q2 2022)
- Mac Studio (last update: Q3 2023, next expected update: ~Q3 2023)
- Mac Pro (last update: Q3 2023, next expected update: ~Q3 2024)
Where to buy?
- Mac Mini M1 - Buy at Amazon
- iMac 24" - Buy at Amazon
- Mac Studio - Buy at Amazon
- Mac Pro - Buy at Amazon
Mac Accessories
Except for the Mac Mini and Mac Pro, all the Macs can be use straight from the box without additional items. However, you can add accessories to increase your Mac capabilities and also personalize your Mac.
Starting with Apple Silicon, Apple release Magic Keyboard (that’s the name) with TouchID where you can unlock your supported Mac using your finger print. The TouchID can also be use to authenticate purchase and logins. iMac now come in shrunk keyboard that does not have a numpad. If your work environment requires you to punch in a lot of numbers, having a numpad can be extremely useful.
Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad are Apple pointing devise. The iMac comes with the Magic Mouse by default although you can spec your build to include a Magic Trackpad. There is numerous article talking about the design and comfort of those input device.
The Retina Pro Display XDR is a high end monitor from Apple. And it is the only monitor that is built and sold by Apple. It’s a 6K display monitor with HDR capabilities that meant to bridge the gap between color accurate monitor that cost around $3,000 to $4,000 to reference monitor used by studio that cost around $30,000 to $40,000. So far the review has been mixed that it is over priced for the $3,000 but not as good as the $30,000 reference monitor.
Since the PC is a very mature platform, there is a plethora of products that can and will work with the Mac. Macs and increasingly iPad Pro has been using industry standard connections like USB-C, ethernet, 3.5mm headphone jack, WiFi and Bluetooth standard to work with 3rd party devices. There’s no reason not to choose 3rd party products if they are useful to you.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID - Buy at Amazon
- Magic Mouse - Buy at Amazon
- Magic Trackpad - Buy at Amazon
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Mac Lineup
Macs has been a foundation of Apple company since inception. This article explore the current offerings in 2020 and show the differences between each tier of Mac.
Apple Silicon Evolution (vs Top Competitors) over the years
Apple came a long way from a simple chip that powers the first iPad. Here a general look how Apple Silicon fare over the years
Apple Watch
Budget | Flagship | Professional | |
---|---|---|---|
Apple Watch | Apple Watch SE | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
Features | S9 and U1 chip; 50m water resistant; Aluminum or Stainless Steel finish; Silver, Space Gray or Gold color; 40mm or 44mm size; | S10 chip; Aluminum or Titanium Body. 42mm or 46mm. First 'redesign' in years. Faster charging. FDA approved sleep apnea detection. Water depth and temperature sensor up to 6m. Nike and Hermes edition. Hermes edition is available in silver titanium color. | S8 chip; Titanium Body. 49mm size. Dual band GPS for more accurate reading. 60 hour between charges. 100m water resistance and up to 40m recreational dive. Dive Computer. Redesigned compass app. New Modular watch face. Display is up to 3000 nits brightness. Dual band GPS for more precision. New Hermes edition for 2024. |
Launch Price | From $279 | From $399 to $1499 for Hermes Edition | $799 |
Best Feature | The price | The Hermes Edition is the most stylish smartwatch anybody makes | Design for toughness |
Verdict | The bare minimum to give to your kids. But with discounts, the series 6 or used series 5 is not a bad proposition either. | Latest and greatest. Do note that there are a few versions of this flagship, from the Apple to Hermes. Functionally, they are identical compared to the base edition but have exclusive bands and watch face. Bands can be purchase separately. | Basically created for professional or prosumers, the Ultra offers more for the people who demands more from their Apple Watch |
Apple Watch is Apple’s line of smartwatches. Introduced in 2014, the feature set has grown from a simple companion computer of the iPhone to a capable fitness monitor and communicator. You will still need to pair it to an iPhone (minimum requirement as of now is the iPhone 6s) to make it work. Read more in our writeup to lear more about the Apple Watch Series 6 features.
Current features of the Apple Watch 6 include blood oxygen monitor, ECG / heart rate monitor, altimeter, cellular capabilities, bluetooth connection to connect with your wireless earphones and many others.
Apple Watch has two version, the main series which are numbered and the SE version which is the lower cost option.
- Apple Watch Series 8 - Nike and Hermes editions
- Apple Watch SE - Buy at Amazon
- Apple Watch Ultra
Accessories
- Watch bands - Buy at Amazon
Update Cycle
- Apple Watch (Last update: September 2022, next update: Q3 2023)
- Apple Watch SE (Last update: Q3 2020, next update: unknown)
- Apple Watch Ultra (Last update: Q3 2022, next update: unknown)
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California streamed and Apple unveiled the iPhone 13 and its closest companion: The Apple Watch Series 7. Here's what you need to know.
Music
Apple’s foray into the music world begins with the introduction of the iPod, the popular music player in the early 2000s which help Apple raise up from the brink of death. Later, Apple has introduced digital music distribution called the iTune store, updated the iPod with a new interface first featured in the iPhone, and later expand to Music streaming service and a line of popular earphones. Apple has bought over Beats by Dre, a popular headphones company in 2014 which they are still selling in their stores. Apple also introduced a line of smart speakers called HomePods which feature integration with Siri, Apple digital voice assistant.
AirPods
AirPods is Apple’s line of Bluetooth headphones. They comes from in-ear variety of over-ear of the AirPods Max.
Wired | Budget | Best Sport | Luxury | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airpods | Earpods with Lighting Connector | AirPods | AirPods Pro | AirPods Max |
Features | Wired earphones. Used to come with every iPhone | H2 chip; Wireless bluetooth earphones; Hey Siri; Wired or wireless charging case; Active Noise Cancellation is available for extra $50. | H2 chip; Wireless bluetooth earphones with Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency; Hey Siri; Sweat resistant; Wireless charging case with MagSafe support; USB-C port; Lossless audio support; | H1 chip; Wireless bluetooth headphones with Active Noise Cancellation; Hey Siri; leather case; aluminum and mesh finish; large 40mm drivers; 9 mics; Digital crown for volume control; 5 colors; The cup can be bought separately; |
Launch Price | $29 | From $179 | $249 | $549 |
August 2021 Price | From $13 | From $115 | - | From $499 |
Best Feature | Decent sound. The wired click button is handy. | Works well with all your Apple devices | New and improved for September 2022 | Sound quality |
Verdict | Used to come with every iPhone. It was not the best but it was decent | It was quite popular that when I went to Manhattan in 2017, I thought they were standard issue for every New Yorker | ANC works great and sound quality is not bad. But like other AirPods, they usually have a lifespan of aorund 2 years before things start to break and they are basically irreparable | Sound quality is good. But at this price point I'd rather have a wired + DAC setup. Best wireless Apple headphones to date. Looks more repairable than the other AirPods |