An all-American iPhone

Sorry, but that’s never gonna happen.

Author

Leander Kahney
April 09, 2025

In partnership with

Lots of cheery economic news today, folks!

Just kidding! The harsh reality is, even if Apple wanted to move iPhone production to the United States in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, it ain’t gonna happen — ever — and here’s why.

Nonetheless, at least one of Apple’s major Asian suppliers is making noises about onshoring some production — but there are major caveats.

Actually, there is some good news: The Mac continues to grow its market share. That should come as no surprise, really. The current Mac lineup is arguably the best in Apple’s entire history. No doubt Trump’s manifest economic genius will keep the ball rolling!

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • If you’re not an Apple TV+ subscriber, now’s a good time to sign up with a massive 70% discount. The promo is timed to the debut of actor Jon Hamm’s new show about a rich guy who hits the skids and turns into a thief. Oh, jeez, let’s hope that’s not in all our futures.

  • It’s only been 15 years, but Instagram looks poised to finally introduce an iPad app to capitalize on a giant rival’s troubles.

  • I was really looking forward to Apple TV+’s upcoming sci-fi action-comedy Murderbot, but after watching the just-launched trailer, I’m not so sure. The “humor” looks dreadful. The production values look superb, though.

  • I keep an old IBM ThinkPad lying around just to run Shimano’s E-Tube software for updating my bike’s firmware. I just broke it out, and my God, what a horrible nightmare Windows is — even the latest Windows 11. But if you need to run it, it’s not as easy as it used to be before Apple silicon: Here’s how to run Windows on your Mac.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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Why an all-American iPhone is impossible

Sorry to burst your bubble, but four huge obstacles mean an American-made iPhone simply isn’t in the cards.

Apple supplier in China weighs moving production to US

Chinese Apple supplier Luxshare considers manufacturing relocations due to tariffs, including US production.

Mac shipments grow faster than any PC maker can match

New data shows Mac shipments grew 14.1% year over year, showing strong demand for Apple's products. No PC maker can match that rate.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Grab a huge 70% discount on Apple TV+ in time for Your Friends & Neighbors

Just in time for the debut of Jon Hamm's "Your Friends & Neighbors," you can get a whopping discount on Apple TV+ subscriptions.

Instagram may finally release a native iPad app

After a 15-year wait, Instagram could finally get around to dropping a native iPad app, as it looks to capitalize on TikTok's troubles.

Sci-fi action comedy ‘Murderbot’ stays true to its brilliant source novels [Apple TV+ trailer]

The first trailer for “Murderbot” reveals that the upcoming Apple TV+ series mixes action and comedy, just like the award-winning books it’s based on

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Score Beats Studio Buds+ for more than a third off

Amazon's latest Beats Studio Buds deal takes 33% off the price -- and you can get an even bigger discount on upgraded Beats Studio Buds+.

This 24,000mAh power bank packs an AC outlet

It can charge most laptops and keep multiple devices going off-grid. HyperGear's Power Brick power bank with AC outlet might save your bacon.

All the ways to run Windows 11 on a Mac

How can you run Windows on a Mac these days? You have loads of options, even though Boot Camp itself does not work on Apple silicon Macs.

Today in Apple history: Apple sells its 100 millionth iPod

On April 9, 2007, Apple sold its 100 millionth iPod. The landmark event confirms the iPod as Apple’s most popular product of all time.

Mac mini drives brilliant pair of well-mounted displays [Setups]

This Mac mini user would love to go with 5K Asus displays. But he's delighted with a pair of 4K screens mounted on Huanuo dual monitor arms.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

I'm pretty optimistic, and I think we all need to remember that we're just in the infancy of this revolution, and it will continue to occur throughout our lifetimes. And I … work with a group of people that all work very hard to make sure that the rate of innovation doesn't slow down, and that most of that innovation continues to come out of the United States of America.

— Steve Jobs, 1991.

Today’s poll

Do you ever run Windows on your Mac?

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Results from yesterday’s poll: What kind of app icons do you want in iOS 19?

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