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This year’s iPhone launch has been especially difficult for vacillating wafflers like me.
I agonized over which model of iPhone 17 to buy, only to make a rash decision at the last minute to ensure I got something — anything — on launch day.
I ended up getting an iPhone 17 Pro in silver, which is a solid choice, because that color appears to be the overwhelming favorite on the socials.
But I upgraded from an iPhone 16 Pro Max. And even though I thought I liked smaller phones, I’m starting to miss that bigger screen.
So now, of course, I’m beating myself up for not getting the bigger Pro Max.
And then there’s the iPhone Air, which is gorgeous in person and has that bigger screen I desire. (See our video review.)
Heck, I’m even tempted by the base iPhone 17, which is so good this year it seems to be seducing a lot of former Pro users to downgrade.
Oh, decisions, decisions. This is why we pumped out a helpful buying guide that compares the iPhone 17 to the iPhone 17 Pro to the iPhone Air. No more vacillating waffling for you!
Also in today’s newsletter:
Apple is still looking for a good way to issue quick security updates, and is reportedly working on Background Security Improvements. But what happened to its previous system, Rapid Security Responses?
Instead of shelling out a small fortune to get the latest, greatest MacBook, you can pay monthly with Upgraded’s fab monthly installment plan.
There’s a great new screen technology coming down the pipe that Apple will likely use for the upcoming 20th anniversary iPhone, which promises to have a bezel-less display that curves around all four edges.
Part of Apple’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2030 relies on high-quality carbon-removal projects, like a new investment in California redwoods.
Back in college, I used to impress everyone with prodigious feats of memory thanks to the method of loci, a memory trick I learned in Psych 101. You too can learn it with this on-sale brain-training app.
Our iPhone Air review said the handset has to be experienced before you love it, which is borne out by responses to yesterday’s poll. A couple of readers who’ve held it have switched, according to the comments (see below). The Air is getting off to a slow start, but I reckon it’ll be a sleeper hit as more people experience it.
Back in 1981, Apple laid out its first set of “Apple Values” that would help guide the company in its early days.
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
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A message from Upgraded
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
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Tweets of the day
There's nothing like the energy in Tokyo! So thrilled to be back and be joined by @number_i_offic for a sneak peek of the all-new Apple Ginza, opening this Friday, September 26.
— #Tim Cook (#@tim_cook)
10:46 AM • Sep 23, 2025
12GB to go from iOS 26 to 26.1 is WILD
— #CID (#@theonecid)
5:49 PM • Sep 22, 2025
You jealous of my super thin iPhone Air?
— #Samuel Nam (#@thesamuelnam)
1:59 AM • Sep 22, 2025
Wallpaper of the day
One more thing ...
Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do. That’s true for companies, and it’s true for products.
Today’s poll
Do you want background security updates?
Results from yesterday’s poll: Are you thinking about switching to the iPhone Air?
Best reader comments
Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.