Go Pro or no?

Every year since forever, I‘ve purchased a Pro model iPhone.

In years past, the Pro models always offered better cameras, better screens and better battery life.

But this year, the regular iPhone 16 lineup looks great. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are perhaps the best-looking iPhones Apple has made to date, especially the aquamarine model.

Now that my kids have grown up and left the nest (mostly), having a Pro-level camera isn’t the necessity it once was. I’d probably be quite happy with the lesser cameras — after all, they still take great photos.

Plus, the regular iPhone 16 is a LOT less expensive than the Pro models.

But then there’s the 60Hz screens. Will I miss Pro Motion?

So what to do? I have no idea. But luckily we have another great buying guide to help you and me decide whether to go Pro or not this year.

Likewise, if you’re unsure about upgrading to this year’s iPhones at all, we have a guide for that. Plus, we put together buying guides for the new Apple Watches and the new AirPods.

Also in today’s newsletter:

I think using AirPods as hearing aids is going to be a very big deal, and Apple just got FDA approval.
Apple not only bumped the new iPhones’s wireless charging speed, the wired charging speed got a massive bump, too.
Even though Apple’s been trying to dump Qualcomm for iPhone modems, the latest model in the iPhone 16 Pros brings a big performance boost.
Over the last several years, Apple Maps has gone from worst to best mapping service. Here are eight power-user tricks to help you get the most out of Apple Maps.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 16 comparison: Go Pro or not?

Should you spend the extra money on the Pro? This Phone 16 vs. iPhone 16 Pro comparison will help you make the right pick.

www.cultofmac.com/buying-guides/iphone-16-pro-vs-iphone-16-comparison

AirPods acting as hearing aids score FDA approval

Apple got the approval it needs from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make the latest AirPods Pro into medical-grade hearing aids.

www.cultofmac.com/news/airpods-hearing-aids-fda-approval-date

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro support 45W wired fast charging

The iPhone 16 series apparently supports faster USB-C wired charging speeds of up to 45W when paired with a compatible charger.

www.cultofmac.com/news/iphone-16-pro-support-45w-wired-fast-charging

^{A message from the}^{Cult of Mac Deals team}

Break into music and video production with these creative courses

Learn how to use Ableton Live, shoot compelling video and even write songs using AI with these affordable music and video production courses.

www.cultofmac.com/daily-deals/2024-music-and-video-creation-bundle

iPhone 16 Pro's new Qualcomm modem boosts 5G data speeds

Thanks to a newer Snapdragon X75 modem from Qualcomm, Apple's iPhone 16 Pro offers up to 26% faster download speeds.

www.cultofmac.com/news/iphone-16-pro-qualcomm-modem-boosts-5g-data-speeds

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro support 45W wired fast charging

The iPhone 16 series apparently supports faster USB-C wired charging speeds of up to 45W when paired with a compatible charger.

www.cultofmac.com/news/iphone-16-pro-support-45w-wired-fast-charging

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Price drop: Block ads and data trackers forever with this top-rated service

Snag a lifetime subscription to the AdGuard family plan. The iOS and Mac ad blocker also protects your privacy on Android and PC.

www.cultofmac.com/daily-deals/adguard-family-plan-lifetime-subscription-ad-blocker-ios-mac

Should you upgrade to iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro?

Is it time for you to upgrade and buy the new iPhone 16? I’ve put together a buying guide with charts and a video to help you decide.

www.cultofmac.com/buying-guides/should-i-buy-iphone-16

Should you upgrade to the new AirPods 4 or AirPods Max?

Is it time for you to upgrade and buy the new AirPods 4 or AirPods Max? I’ve put together a guide and a video to help you decide.

www.cultofmac.com/buying-guides/should-i-buy-airpods-4-max

Should you upgrade to Apple Watch Series 10 or Ultra 2?

Is it time for you to upgrade and buy the new Apple Watch Series 10 or Apple Watch Ultra 2? I’ve put together a guide to help you decide.

www.cultofmac.com/buying-guides/should-i-buy-apple-watch-series-10-ultra-2

8 secret features in Apple Maps

Apple Maps offers tons of features you probably don’t know about. I have a big list of the best eight hidden features.

www.cultofmac.com/how-to/secret-features-in-apple-maps

Connect tiny new Miniroll Bluetooth speakers for bigger sound

The new Ultimate Ears Miniroll speaker may be ultraportable -- in other words, tiny -- but it has strength in numbers.

www.cultofmac.com/news/ultimate-ears-miniroll-speaker

OWC’s new Thunderbolt 5 SSD transfers data at up to 6000 MBps

The OWC Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD is for professionals needing the fastest data transfer rate available. And it's rugged, too.

www.cultofmac.com/news/owc-thunderbolt-5-ssd-envoy-ultra

‘Where's Wanda?’ might be funnier in German [Dubbed Apple TV+ trailer]

Apple TV+ trailer for German comedy "Where's Wanda?" suffers a bit from dubbed English, but the show might work better in its mother tongue.

www.cultofmac.com/news/apple-tv-trailer-for-german-comedy-wheres-wanda

Today in Apple history: Lightning replaces 30-pin dock connector

On September 12, 2012, the Lightning connector replaced Apple's proprietary 30-pin dock connector, which debuted on the 2003 iPod Classic.

www.cultofmac.com/news/today-in-apple-history-lightning-replaces-30-pin-dock-connector

Tweets of the day

The End of Lightning is Nigh! ⚡️
— #Basic Apple Guy (#@BasicAppleGuy)
2:11 PM • Sep 12, 2024

Apple saying the same thing for 16 years straight 💀
— #NO CONTEXT HUMANS (#@HumansNoContext)
7:30 AM • Sep 11, 2024

How to get your door kicked in 101 (if it’s real).

ebay.com/itm/3560296294…

#appleinternal
— #Apple Demo (#@AppleDemoYT)
1:37 AM • Sep 12, 2024

Wallpaper of the day

📁 Art Wallpaper
— #Keith🪂 (#@moneyjnr)
7:04 AM • Sep 11, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

I want it to be as beautiful as possible, even if it's inside the box. A great carpenter isn't going to use lousy wood for the back of a cabinet, even though nobody's going to see it.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Which iPhone 16 for you? Pro or regular?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Which new Apple Watch for you? Series 10 or Ultra 2?

Best reader comments

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