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We've still got a few weeks before Amazon's official October Prime Day, but that doesn't mean there aren't deals to shop. As of Sept. 18, we're seeing pretty impressive price drops on products from top brands like Roku, Beats, iRobot Roomba, Garmin, and TP-Link. And we've rounded up the best ones worth adding to your cart below.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, be sure to take a peek at our picks from Sept. 16 and Sept. 17. Many of those are still live — including a record-low price on the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE and four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Ultra $69.99 at AmazonThe Roku Ultra, our favorite Roku streaming device, is the cheapest it's been all year (and just $3 away from its record-low price). The premium streaming device has a quad-core processor that offers smooth HD, 4K, and HDR streaming on a zippy interface. It's more powerful than the Roku Express 4K Plus and comes with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support, a microSD slot for storing and streaming external media, an Ethernet port, and the Roku Voice Remote Pro with customizable shortcut keys. It's regularly $100, but you can grab it for only $69.99 as of Sept. 18. That's 30% in savings.
Opens in a new window Credit: TP-Link TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam $69.99 at AmazonBoost your home security without breaking the bank with the TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam. It offers 2K video and a year-long battery life for only $69.99 on sale. That's 42% in savings and matches its lowest price on record — just be sure to select the on-page coupon to get the full discount. We haven't had a chance to test out this security camera ourselves, but our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) did and awarded it an outstanding rating and coveted Editor's Choice award. "It's an excellent value for a battery-powered camera that offers color night vision, built-in spotlights, local and cloud storage options, free intelligent alerts, voice control, and many other features," the review states.
Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Instinct 2 Solar smartwatch $299.99 at Amazon"The Instinct is ideal for serious navigators, ultra-athletes, and solo trekkers who spend a lot of time outside and in rugged conditions," Mashable's review states of the original Garmin Instinct smartwatch. The second generation of the already great watch is even more powerful. Not only does it offer detailed health monitoring and smart notifications like any good smartwatch, but it also packs a three-axis compass and barometric altimeter for highly intricate tracking and navigation, plenty of built-in sports apps, and an unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode (thanks to solar charging). As of Sept. 18, it's also back down to its record-low price of $299.99 at Amazon. That's $100 in savings and a pretty impressive deal on a smartwatch that's just as tough as you.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $99.99 at AmazonWant a solid pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that won't break the bank? The Beats Studio Buds are back on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's 34% off their usual cost in white, black, or red. Mashable tech reporter Alex Perry called them "Apple's new go-to entry-level earbuds" when they first came out in 2021, claiming they "put entry-level AirPods to shame." They're equipped with decent active noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, and a 24-hour battery life with the charging case. They're no longer the latest or greatest Beats buds, but they still hold up in 2024.
Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO $299.99 at AmazonDon't have the budget to hire a professional cleaner? Start smaller by grabbing this Roomba i3+ EVO on sale for just $299.99. That's $250 cheaper than usual and on par with its lowest price to date. The i3+ EVO is our top pick for a budget Roomba (with a software upgrade), thanks to its self-emptying abilities, smart mapping, and more powerful suction power over the cheaper 600 series. You can basically set it and forget it for 60 days, as it will dump all the dirt it picks up into its base.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
SAVE $10: As of September 18, save $10 when you spend $50 on eligible Starbucks coffee at Amazon for National Coffee Day.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon $10 off $50 of eligible Starbucks coffee Get DealThere's a holiday for just about everything these days, and coffee is no exception. National Coffee Day, a celebration of all things java, is September 29, and Starbucks is getting in on the fun. But instead of requiring you to go in-store to take advantage of its deals, Starbucks is serving up a special promotion at Amazon that you can take advantage of ahead of the holiday itself.
As of September 18, when you buy $50 of eligible Starbucks coffee-at-home products at Amazon, you can get $10 back. That includes Starbucks K-Cup packs, Pike Place Medium Roast ground coffee, Starbucks VIA Instant Colombia coffee packets, Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Concentrate, and several other flavors you can choose from the Starbucks Coffee At-Home Amazon page. The discount will be automatically applied at checkout as long as supplies last.
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's October Prime Day sale: Official dates, the competition, and moreThere's a wide variety of Starbucks coffee to choose from that's eligible for the deal. Some of Starbucks' newest fall flavors — like Pumpkin Spice, Smoked Butterscotch, and Fall Blend K-Cups — are up for grabs, as are half-caff and iced coffee blends.
It looks like certain flavors are already going out of stock, however, so you may want to go ahead and grab the ones you're interested in sipping on this fall while you still can.
GET $100 OFF: As of Sept. 18, the Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer with two complimentary attachments is $299.99 on the Dyson website, $100 off the sticker price. That's 25% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer $299.99 at DysonIf you’ve been dying to own at least one Dyson hair care tool, now might be your chance to do it for under $300 (*gasp*).
As of Sept. 18, you can get the Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer (black/nickel) for $299.99 on Dyson’s website. That’s $100 off the sticker price, and it’s a pretty good deal, considering it comes with two complimentary attachments (the flyaway attachment and the gentle air attachment) worth $79.98.
SEE ALSO: Is the Dyson Supersonic still worth it?This hair dryer is built to protect your hair from extreme heat damage while delivering a salon-worthy blowout. According to the site, you can increase smoothness by 75 percent with this thing compared to regular hair dryers. It also features three speed settings, four heat settings, and a cold air shot for locking in your 'do. This model is no longer available at Amazon or Best Buy, so your best bet is to snag it straight from Dyson before the sale ends.
If you’d rather have the Supersonic hair dryer in blue/blush (aka the pretty one), Dyson has a refurbished model for $229.99, so it's $120 off. It also comes with five attachments, including a diffuser and styling concentrator.
Not to be outdone by Huawei, Samsung is reportedly making an absurdly large smartphone with a new form factor.
According to a scoop by the Korean outlet The Elec (via Sammobile), Samsung is developing a smartphone with a rollable screen with the intent of launching in 2025. The phone would have a 12.4-inch display when unrolled, making it absolutely massive by smartphone standards, even bigger than the 10.2-inch tri-fold Huawei Mate XT that took the internet by storm recently.
SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: What are the differences?Of course, while the Mate XT is a tri-fold phone that looks a little more like a traditional foldable (such as the ones Samsung makes), Samsung's rumored new device would theoretically roll and unroll like a piece of parchment. Except, you know, it's also a phone. Without seeing even renders of how the device would look, it's hard to speculate on exactly how it would work.
At least this potentially gives us something to look forward to in 2025.
Get Ninja kitchen appliances up to 35% off at Amazon as of Sept. 18. Here are some of our top choices:
Best Ninja deals at Amazon Best Ninja deal overall Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo $129.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker $79.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best air fryer for small kitchens Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4-quarts) $89.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get DealSomehow, we're all way too busy. We tell ourselves that next week or next month will be calmer, but it never seems to pan out that way. If you find you're short on time when it comes to preparing meals, Ninja makes some great kitchen appliances that can help.
Thanks to this week's sale prices at Amazon, you can grab kitchen and cooking upgrades for up to 35% off, including air fryers, coffee makers, blenders, and more.
If you're looking for fast and easy meal prep, Ninja some great solutions — plus they make some of the most affordable and feature-laden kitchen appliances around. The brand also focuses on using dishwasher-safe materials, which can help immensely with cleaning up.
Below are the best Ninja deals at Amazon as of Sept. 18:
Best Ninja deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo $129.99 at AmazonWith 11 cooking functions, the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo can be a massive help in the kitchen. Amazon's sale price bring the countertop appliance down to just $129.99, which is a 35% discount off the usual price of $199.99.
With the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo, you can pressure-cook, steam, slow cook, sear, air crisp, bake, broil, sous vide, dehydrate, keep warm, and make yogurt. Those are 11 reasons why the Ninja could make preparing meals much easier. The 6.5-quart capacity can accommodate a five-pound chicken or a six-pound roast. You'll also get a useful recipe book to use as inspiration to get started.
Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker $79.99 at AmazonA versatile single-serve coffee maker can be perfect for busy homes where the coffee fans aren't all enjoying a cup at the same time, meaning that someone ends up drinking old, burned coffee from the pot. Instead, the single-serve Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker allows you to enjoy a single cup from either a K-Cup pod or ground coffee. There's also a built-in milk frother wand, so you can quickly whip up a latte, mocha, or cappuccino at home.
The Ninja coffee maker also allows you to choose your brew strength or select an over-ice function. The adjustable cup tray means you can brew into a mug or a travel cup, measuring up to eight inches tall.
Best air fryer for small kitchens Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4-quart) $89.99 at AmazonAir fryers can be a great solution if you have a smaller kitchen that's short on space. The four-quart Ninja AF101 Air Fryer measures about 11 inches tall, 12 inches wide, and 8.5 inches deep, which makes it a nice size for small counter space. But the four-quart size can still cook up to two pounds of fries.
It also doesn't lack in features with options to air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate. Overall, the air fryer has a temperature range between 100 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, the basket and crisper plate are easy to clean in the dishwasher.
More Ninja deals at AmazonNinja Blast Portable Blender — $49.99 $59.99 (save $10)
Ninja NeverStick Pro Belgian Waffle Maker — $69.99 $79.99 (save $10)
Ninja Thirsti Drink System — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)
Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro — $159.99 $179.99 (save $20)
GET UP TO 40% OFF: As of Sept. 18, you can get up to 40% off camping gear at REI. Shop tents, outdoor stoves, and more.
Our top picks: Best outdoor stove deal Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove $74.93 at REI (save $50.02 ) Get Deal Best tent deal North Face Wawona 4 Tent $279.93 at REI (save $120.07) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch $169.99 at REI (save $30.01 ) Get DealDepending on where you live, you may already feel a chill in the air and have the itch to enjoy the great outdoors before it gets too cold to do so without bundling up like the Michelin Man.
Fall is on its way, and REI has just the thing to get you excited about crisp mornings, toasty campfires, and stargazing under a clear night sky — 40% off camping gear, stoves, outdoor tech, and more.
SEE ALSO: Ultimate Ears Epicboom review: Should you take this $350 speaker on your next camping trip?Whether you’re an occasional camper looking for a quality tent to hunker down in on your next weekend getaway, or you’re a pro who’s ready for an upgrade, this sale has a little bit of something for everyone.
Here are our top picks to help you make the most of your time outdoors:
Best outdoor stove deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eureka Our pick: Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove $74.93 at REIWatching Outlast gave me a new appreciation for kitchen appliances. If you plan on making anything more complicated than s’mores over a campfire, you might want to consider getting an outdoor camp stove.
The Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove is 40% off and has everything you need to make a proper meal. It has 10,000 BTUs, a push-button ignition (so literally anyone can use this thing), and a stainless steel drip tray for a quick and easy cleanup. It’s also compact, portable (only 10 pounds), and durable.
Best tent deal Opens in a new window Credit: The North Face Our pick: The North Face Wawona 4 Tent $279.93 at REIUnless you have a camper or RV, a quality tent should probably be the first thing on your list when gearing up for a camping trip.
The North Face Wawona 4 Tent is spacious enough to fit four people, but compact enough to fit nicely into a stuff sack when not in use. It has two doors, a double-wall construction (which you’ll appreciate if it rains or gets windy), a large vestibule to store gear or set up a makeshift living room, and color-coded poles for easy set-up.
Best smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Our pick: Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch $169.99 at REICamping isn’t the only way to enjoy nature. You can also go for a run or a hike and reap the same benefits. If you want to track your activity (whether for fitness or just curiosity), a smartwatch can help you do that.
The Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch isn’t the most advanced watch on the market, but it does have hundreds of reviews and a two-week battery life (without GPS mode; 20 hours with). The PacePro feature gives you real-time, adaptive pace guidance to help you hit your goals, and the heart monitor can track your training and recovery.
We ditched flip phones for sleek smart devices and swapped CRTs for crystal-clear widescreen displays a long time ago. So why are we still dealing with dust clouds and messy emptying when we vacuum? Many of us continue to lug around clunky vacuums that make a mess or kick up a coughing fit whenever we clean.
Lightweight cordless vacuum cleaners have been around for a while, and they’ve only grown more capable with time. The Shark® Cordless PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty system is worth a serious look as a machine that combines powerful suction with practical features, tackling messes and keeping things orderly.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Cordless PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty Vacuum $449.99 at Shark®If you're sick of running your old vacuum past the same spot, the first thing to know about the PowerDetect Clean & Empty is that it’s strong. Measured by universal testing standards, this happens to be Shark’s most powerful cordless suction out.
Most vacuum nozzle designs block airflow, causing them to push larger debris along their kitchen floors, chasing it around only to clean it on a forward stroke. The redesigned nozzle on this gadget features "gills" that pull in debris on hard floors, allowing it to clean in every direction — no more chasing debris around the kitchen floor.
There are brains to go with that brawn, too. Intelligent onboard tech can sense different surfaces and adjust to grab debris that often goes hidden, and a dual brush design can manage all kinds of surfaces: wood, rugs, and everything in between. No more busting out the broom when your vacuum can’t handle half your space: Floordetect can read the surface it's on and adjust power to deliver just the right amount of suction needed.
It’s practicalWhile strong and tech-infused is all well and good, any new cleaning regimen has to fit into your lifestyle. It’s easy to say your current vac is fine, but consider what an upgrade can do to make cleaning less laborious.
After a long cleaning session and other chores, it’s easy to forget or skip recharging and emptying your vacuum. The Shark® Cordless PowerDetect makes it easier by having a charging dock that also empties the vacuum into a 2-liter chamber. This means you're done dealing with a messy container or bag — just a vacuum ready to go.
And it's flexible, tooThere’s also the MultiFLEX® technology that lets the vacuum bend without losing power. This way, suction stays steady while you maneuver around corners and underneath the furniture. That flexibility also comes in handy when the job is done — it folds up for easy storage. There’s even an odor-controlling feature on the Auto Empty dock so that no unpleasant smells can escape.
If we're being honest, nobody is in love with their vacuum. But with superior suction, self-emptying ability, floor-sensing powers, and flexibility, this new vacuum from Shark is worth a look if you’re tired of cleaning after you've cleaned.
The Shark® Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty system is available at www.SharkClean.com for $499.
This year, we've been tracking changes in Bose's lineup of headphones. The brand retired beloved models including the Bose QuietComfort 45 and Bose 700 headphones, in favor of the newly upgraded QuietComfort line. Bose is building on its tech that emphasizes superior comfort and audio quality with Wednesday's product drops.
Bose just launched its new QuietComfort earbuds and Smart Soundbar, available for purchase now.
What to know about the Bose QuietComfort earbuds The Bose QuietComfort earbuds are the latest in the brand's collection. Credit: BoseWe've watched the last several months as Bose has been rebuilding its line of earbuds and headphones. Bose's QuietComfort collection of headphones includes the QuietComfort and QuietComfort Ultra. The former is the entry-level over-the-ear model, while the latter brings increased comfort and personalized sound.
Currently, the earbud sector of this collection only includes the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, which Mashable's Timothy Werth Beck noted were "impressive in every way." Like the brand's done with its headphones, Bose is adding a starter model with the Bose QuietComfort earbuds.
These new earbuds retail for $179, far more affordable than the Ultras' $299 price tag. Plus, they supposedly provide eight-and-a-half hours of battery life, two more hours than the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. The QuietComfort earbuds come in black, white smoke, and chilled lilac and are available for purchase now.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $179.00 at BoseReplacing the Bose Smart Soundbar 600, is the Bose Smart Soundbar (dropping the 600 from its name.) Still in its signature small and sleek design, this upgraded soundbar delivers big audio. This revamped version is also adding AI Dialogue Mode, previously seen on the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar.
The AI Dialogue Mode feature uses machine-learning to detect speech in audio streams and make it clearer and more crisp — maybe you'll finally be able to turn of subtitles. Plus, users with the Bose Ultra Open earbuds can take advantage Personal Surround Sound, where the rear speaker on the soundbar is replaced by the earbuds to create an up close and personal sound.
The Bose Smart Soundbar costs $499 and is available online for purchase.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Smart Soundbar $499.00 at BoseBehold! I now crown the iPhone 16 Pro Max as our new smartphone battery life king, kicking the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL out of its short-lived throne.
You won't believe how long the top-tier iPhone 16 lasted on a charge.
If you're confused over whether you should snag the iPhone 16 Pro or the iPhone 16 Pro Max, you'll find out in this in-depth review that the latter delivers more than just a 6.9-inch mega display.
iPhone 16 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableUse the table of contents to skip down to the battery life section if you're too impatient about the Pro Max's runtime figure. But if you want to know the breadth of how well the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max performed during our testing, stick around from start to finish.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max priceThe iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are the iPhones you tote around to impress the impressionable. These are the crème de la crème of the iPhone 16 lineup that show off the latest ready-for-market, cutting-edge technologies out of Cupertino.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThere are a handful of features the iPhone 16 Pro models have that the entry-level iPhone 16 models don’t — like the ability to play 4K video at 120Hz — that the average Joe doesn’t use regularly. However, for some, being able to say "I've got the most premium phone from the iPhone 16 lineup" is enough of an incentive to get people to make the purchase plunge.
If you're one of those folks, you may be wondering, "What's the damage?" Let's get to it.
The iPhone 16 Pro has a starting price of $999 and comes with the following:
A18 Pro chip
8GB of RAM (required for Apple Intelligence)
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options
6.3-inch, 2,622 x 1,206-pixel resolution display
The iPhone 16 Pro Max, on the other hand, starts at $1,199:
A18 Pro chip
8GB of RAM (required for Apple Intelligence)
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
6.9-inch, 2,868 x 1,320-pixel resolution display
I don't love that the base model iPhone 16 Pro starts at 128GB. In my experience, this storage configuration lasts about a year, give or take some months, before it runs out.
I'd recommend upgrading to the 256GB for an extra $100. Alternatively, you can simply delete unwanted photos and videos periodically — or get an iCloud+ subscription for additional storage.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max $999.99 at AppleWhen Apple said that the iPhone 16 Pro Max had a larger 6.9-inch display, up from the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 6.7-inch screen, I joked that it's practically a "phablet." (Hey, there are tablets with 7-inch displays on the market.)
iPhone 16 Pro (left) and iPhone 16 Pro Max (right) Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableDespite me "taking the piss," as my British fiancé would say, I was pleasantly surprised that the iPhone 16 Pro Max wasn't as unwieldy as I thought it'd be. I expected awkwardness while clutching the premium top model — but nope. I didn't notice a big difference. (And this is coming from someone with small hands.)
To be fair, though, as a phone reviewer, I've been carrying around the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL; both have 6.8-inch displays. As such, the 6.9-inch display on the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn't faze me much.
However, if you're coming from a phone that has a significantly smaller display, you'll definitely notice the difference. For example, using the smaller iPhone 16 models, like the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 and 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro, it's easy to navigate the screen one-handed with your thumb. (See below.)
Look how easy it is to navigate the iPhone 16 Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I find myself having to balance it on my finger for one-handed navigation, making the iPhone 16 Pro more comfortable.
To hold the iPhone 16 Pro Max one-handed, I must balance it on my pinky finger to navigate the display. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI grabbed my iPhone 15 Pro Max and held it in my left hand while holding the iPhone 16 Pro Max in the other; the latter is definitely heavier. (After all, it does have a bigger battery in it.) I checked the actual numbers and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is marginally more hefty by 0.81 ounces. Interestingly, though, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the same thickness as the iPhone 15 Pro Max (i.e., 0.33 inches).
iPhone 15 Pro Max (left) and iPhone 16 Pro Max (right) Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableBut when you look at the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max, the difference between the two sizes isn't as large as I thought it'd be (which explains why I didn't experience any unwieldiness while holding it during my hands-on).
iPhone 15 Pro Max (left) and iPhone 16 Pro Max (right) Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe iPhone 16 Pro is now 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches. It's still got a compact form factor (though not as portable as the $799 6.1-inch iPhone 16).
Other design changes? The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have a new button, found on the lower-right side of the chassis, called Camera Control. (More on that later.)
Camera Control Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableBoth the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, still wrapped in a titanium enclosure, have a water resistance rating of IP68, which means they can tolerate approximately 20 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.
My only disappointment is that Apple got rid of the Blue Titanium color featured on the iPhone 15 Pro models and replaced it with "Desert Titanium," which looks mostly beige with a slight hint of pink and gold.
Other colors you can get include Natural Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max displayAs mentioned, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models have bigger displays this time around.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableiPhone 16 Pro - 6.3-inch, 2,622 x 1,206-pixel resolution, 1,000 nits of brightness (2,000 peak)
iPhone 16 Pro Max - 6.9-inch, 2,868 x 1,320-pixel resolution, 1,000 nits of brightness (2,000 peak)
On top of that, both models have an ultra-slim frame that surround the display. They're the slimmest bezels found on an Apple product. If Apple didn't mention it, I wouldn't have noticed. I was never bothered by the bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but slimmer bezels never hurt, I guess.
iPhone 16 Pro Max (left) and iPhone 15 Pro Max (right) Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableApple is still trying to make fetch happen with the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 16 Pro models. I do find myself getting hypnotized by some of the animations on the pill-shaped notch, like the funky waveform movements that dance along to my Apple Music playlist.
However, I have a feeling that the Dynamic Island's days are numbered (I give it until iPhone 19).
On one hand, the Dynamic Island is an iPhone signature. When you see a pill-shaped notch on an phone, you know it's an iPhone. Plus, Dynamic Island makes good use of the controversial notch that was a bit of an eyesore for some users. On the other, I won't miss it much if Apple decides to shave it off (or remove it completely) — more screen real estate for me!
On the iPhone 16 Pro models, I watched some of my favorite shows, from The Boys on Amazon Prime Video to Selling Sunset on Netflix, and both displays delivered rich colors as I ogled vivid superhero costumes on The Boys and feasted my eyes on sweeping drone footage of Hollywood Hills.
iPhone 16 Pro Max display Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableOf course, don't expect the screens to be as sharp as your TV set. (Perhaps, to the Selling Sunset cast's delight, you won't find many fine lines or subtle details on actresses' faces, but the overall viewing experience is still top-notch.)
Finally, Apple placed the second-gen Ceramic Shield — Ceramic Shield 2, if you will — across the entire iPhone 16 lineup. (The first-gen Ceramic Shield, introduced with iPhone 12, was touted as its most durable display glass ever.) Now, Ceramic Shield 2 on iPhone 16 is reportedly "50% tougher" than the OG Ceramic Shield.
In other words, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max should be able to handle your clumsiness a lot more than their predecessors.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Action ButtonThere's nothing new to report regarding the Action Button on the iPhone 16 Pro models (though it's a novel feature for the lower-tier iPhone 16 variants). Just like the iPhone 15 Pro models, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max continue to sport the Action Button on the upper-left side of the chassis.
iPhone 16 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableFor the uninitiated, the Action Button, first appearing on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, replaced the mute switch (though you can still use it to mute if you want). The Action Button was a hit among users. You can assign a number of different tasks and apps to it. You can get it to launch one of the following pre-configured things:
Silent Mode
Focus Mode
Flashlight
Shazam
Translate
Voice Memo
Camera
Magnifier
Or, you can get creative with the Shortcuts app and program the Action Button to do certain tasks depending on how you're holding the iPhone — or even where you're located. For example, you can configure the Action Button to open Apple Maps when you're away from home, but once you're at your residence, it can fire up Netflix.
My partner programmed his Action Button to be a Notes app launcher while he's holding his iPhone upright, but while he's holding it horizontally, the Action Button launches the Camera app. When he's holding the device upside down, it opens Voice Memos.
My only wish is that Apple could introduce multi-tap gestures for user programming. (For example, one press opens my favorite Apple Music playlist, a double-press fires up Peacock, and a triple-press calls my fiancé.)
Currently, my usage of the iPhone 16 Pro Max Action Button is pretty simple; I use it to fire up Google Authenticator to validate 2FA requests.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera Control buttonThe Camera Control button is, hands down, my favorite new feature that Apple has introduced in recent years (next to MagSafe.) With the Camera Control button, you can access the Camera app with a hard press. Next, you can take a picture by pressing the button again.
Camera Control on iPhone 16 Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWith a light double-tap press, you can access a menu that includes the following:
Zoom
Cameras (swap between wide, ultrawide, and 5X zoom)
Photographic Styles (e.g., filters like "Black and White," "Gold," "Vibrant," and more)
Depth
Tone
Exposure
You can cycle through this menu by sliding your finger on the Camera Control button. However, it's the sliding motion that gets tricky to employ while using the phone one-handed (and I found this to be true across the entire iPhone 16 lineup). To use the sliding gesture, it'd be easier to use two hands. If you're a righty, like myself, your left hand will be holding the phone while your right pointer finger swipes up and down the button to pick the right selection.
You can still use the Camera Control with one hand, using your thumb to cycle through options, but I found that the Camera Control button registers my pointer finger a lot better.
Camera Control on iPhone 16 Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableOverall, I absolutely adore using the Camera Control button. I have so many Camera app features at my finger tips. For example, the "Gold" Photographic Style is my favorite, so I can apply this filter in just seconds. Plus, while my iPhone is locked, I can hard press the Camera Control button — and the Camera app appears almost instantly.
It's an intuitive button and I got accustomed to the experience quicker than expected.
My only critique is that, to record video capture, you need to press-and-hold the Camera Control. Once you let go, it stops recording. I wish it would continue to record. And once I'm ready to end the recording, I can press the button again.
The Camera Control button will double as a Visual Intelligence tool, which is basically similar to Google Lens or Meta AI (via the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses) in that you can point to a subject and Visual Intelligence will tell you all about it. You'll be able to point the camera at a fluffy dog — and it will tell you it's a miniature poodle, for example. This is coming later this year.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max camerasCamera-wise, one of the eye-catching new features is the new 48MP ultrawide sensor, up from the 12MP ultrawide lens on the iPhone 15 Pro models.
UltrawideTo see if there's a difference between the ultrawide camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I shot a landscape photo with both. For reference, here's the iPhone 15 Pro Max's interpretation:
iPhone 15 Pro Max ultrawide shot Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableAnd here is the iPhone 16 Pro Max's take:
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableAs you can see, Apple's claim that the 48MP ultrawide camera has improved is spot on. The tech giant boasted that the upgraded lens performs better in low light — and that's accurate.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max's interpretation of the Long Island park delivered improved exposure, increased brightness, more distinct reflections, less noise in the blue sky, richer colors, and more depth and clarity. The iPhone 16 Pro has the same ultrawide upgrade, so users should get similar results with that phone.
WideThe iPhone 16 Pro models, like their predecessors, have a 48MP wide camera. Check out some of the shots I took on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
A cityscape of Manhattan from Bryant Park with iPhone 16 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Bryant Park Carousel with iPhone 16 Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableBy default, the iPhone 16 cameras lean more toward a true-to-life, cooler vibe. If that's not your preference, you can always use the Camera Control button and cycle through "Styles" for a warmer feel, like "Vibrant" and "Gold."
TelephotoThe iPhone 16 Pro inherited the 5X optical zoom feature that was a Pro Max exclusive last year.
Top of the Chrysler Building, taken with iPhone 16 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Pink flowers in Bryant Park, taken with iPhone 16 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe above zoomed-in photos were taken at 5X, which is the max the telephoto sensor can handle before digital zoom kicks in (i.e., reliance on software other than hardware).
You can see the weathered deterioration on the Chrysler building, including rusting and peeling, on the iPhone 16 Pro Max's telephoto shot. You can even see the small, hair-like structures poking out of the green leaf in the pink flower photo.
However, in my experience, nothing beats the Super Res Zoom on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. When I blind-tested iPhone users with photos shot on an iPhone and a Pixel device, the iPhone participants preferred the iOS device for the wide and ultrawide photos, but preferred Pixel for telephoto-based (zoomed-in) pictures.
SelfieNo major changes to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max's front-facing 12MP camera, which I'm OK with. After all, there is such a thing as a camera being too good.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI had a blast playing around with the new iPhone 16-exclusive Photographic Styles, including "Gold" and "Ethereal," with the former being my favorite (I love a warm, sunset-esque vibe).
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max videoGood news for content creators. Apple says that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max can now record 4K video at 120Hz, which means that your videos will be zippier, sharper, and smoother than ever.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWhen I tested 4K120 for the first time, I was taken aback at how fast the viewfinder kept up with my quick motions. I took videos of flying birds, running cats, and speeding cars, and marveled at how buttery smooth the videos turned out when I launched playback. Even better, I was able to play around with slo-mo by tapping on the adjustment slider icon, which is between the "i" icon and the "trash" icon.
On the top-right corner, you'll find a clock icon. Here, you can decrease the speed to 24 frames per second to add dramatic, suspenseful, cinematic vibes to your content.
Plus, the new Audio Mix feature is a game-changer. To be succinct, Audio Mix, another feature you can find by tapping on the adjustment slider icon, lets you play around with some mind-blowing, sound-editing capabilities. There are four options you can choose from:
Standard
In-Frame
Studio
Cinematic
Studio and Cinematic blew me away. After recording a speaking test subject for this review, Studio was able to place the person's voice front-and-center, making noises like crickets and wind-swaying trees fade into the background, creating a clear, crisp, and focused audiovisual experience.
Cinematic transformed my ho-hum standard video into a movie-like sound format — and it's what we've been missing from our videos all along. For social media personalities who make skits and other content of this ilk, this feature is going to elevate their work for sure.
How to access the Audio Mix feature Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableIt appears, though, that the video would have had to been recorded with Spatial Audio capture, which is a default on the iPhone 16 Pro models, before you can use Audio Mix. For example, I wasn't able to use Audio Mix on older, non-Spatial Audio videos in my library.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max performanceThe iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max come with the new A18 Pro processor.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWe ran Geekbench 6, a benchmark that tests CPU prowess, on both models and we're blown away by the multi-core scores:
iPhone 16 Pro - 8,268
iPhone 16 Pro Max - 8,064
Year after year, we get the same story with Apple: it's got competition-beating performance compared to other smartphone rivals:
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra - 7,078
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL - 4,569
The iPhone 16 Pro models' performance figures are close to the likes of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i and the HP Envy Move.
However, I tend not to give too much weight to these numbers because, truthfully, iPhone has been overflowing with ultra-high performance for years now. It's really not necessary to have laptop-level performance on a phone, but I suppose it's a nice-to-have for power users and future-proofing.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max battery lifeApple said that the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the "best-ever battery life on iPhone" — and it wasn't kidding.
iPhone 16 Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe tech giant placed bigger batteries in both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max — and it shows.
Let's start with the iPhone 16 Pro. On our TikTok rundown with the display emanating brightness at 50%, the iPhone 16 Pro lasted 18 hours and 17 minutes on a single charge. This is phenomenal considering that last year's iPhone 15 Pro Max lasted 14 hours and 53 minutes on the same test. However, keep in mind that the iPhone 16 Plus, which is $100 less than the iPhone 16 Pro, lasted 36 minutes longer than the iPhone 16 Pro.
However, as Apple boasted, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the real-life Energizer Bunny. It just kept going, and going, and going, and going.
On the same TikTok rundown test, the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasted a whopping 25 hours and 17 minutes.
Check out our battery life numbers of the entire iPhone 16 lineup, as well as some rivals:
iPhone 16 - 16 hours and 20 minutes
iPhone 16 Plus - 18 hours and 53 minutes
iPhone 16 Pro - 18 hours and 17 minutes
iPhone 16 Pro Max - 25 hours and 17 minutes
Google Pixel 9 - 16 hours and 6 minutes
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL - 18 hours and 50 minutes
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra - 13 hours and 1 minute
As you can see, the A18 Pro's power-efficient chip and the iPhone 16 Pro Max's large battery had all the other smartphone competitors eating its dust.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple IntelligenceApple has taken a more cautious approach with AI. At first glance, it may seem like Apple is lagging behind, but it's just moving at a more conservative pace.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableIt has likely observed the reactions and criticism that Meta AI and Gemini have faced, so it wants to avoid repeating their errors. (For example, Google faced backlash when Gemini generated historically inaccurate images and Meta was in hot water for how it labeled AI images.)
This year, during WWDC 2024, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, highlighting several new features coming to iOS 18. Initially, Apple stated these features would only be available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, Apple Intelligence is now rolling out to the entire iPhone 16 lineup.
Some of the key features of Apple Intelligence include the Clean Up tool (for removing unwanted objects from photos), a revamped Siri, Writing Tools (tone adjustments for emails and texts), and call recording.
Apple's "Clean Up" tool Left: Original photo Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Right: Apple's "Clean Up" results Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableYou can try these unreleased AI-powered utilities in the beta version of iOS 18.1 (but make sure you back up your iPhone just to be safe). Personally, I've found that the aforementioned Apple Intelligence features worked like a charm, but that doesn't mean there isn't tough competition. (See my Clean Up Tool vs. Google Magic Eraser vs. Samsung Galaxy AI piece.)
There are some features, however, that haven't even reached beta yet, including Image Playground (AI-generated images tool) and Genmoji (create new custom-made emojis with text prompts.) I'm really excited to test those new features out.
The official iOS 18 release launched on Sept. 16, but Apple Intelligence will be available sometime in October when iOS 18.1 launches.
Are the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max worth it?If you have money to blow, I highly recommend the iPhone 16 Pro Max. I mean, we're talking about 25 hours of battery life here. As someone who is big on power efficiency, that alone is worth the price.
Some are excited about 4K video capture at 120Hz, but the real star feature here is Audio Mix, which gives your videos a noticeable, studio-esque improvement in sound quality. So if you're a content creator who wants an edge over your competitors, this is the phone for you.
If your day-to-day tasks don't include content creating nor pro-level, on-the-go video capture, don't downgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro. Instead, I recommend the iPhone 16 Plus. It lasts longer on a charge — and still comes with some hero features like Camera Control and a tougher Ceramic Shield display.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 Pro $999.99The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus were never on my radar — until I had a sudden change of heart.
As a Pro Max exclusivist, the entry-level iPhone typically doesn't catch my eye. After all, “Who wants a puny little phone?” I once thought.
And the "Plus" was always the awkward middle child, often ignored for the base model or the top-tier variant.
However, my experience with these phones has changed my mind. For those who don’t need pro-level photo and video capture, I’d go as far as saying that the iPhone 16 Plus is a better buy than the iPhone 16 Pro (though not the iPhone 16 Pro Max).
Stick around for everything that made me reconsider the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models as viable daily drivers.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus price and specsBefore I can dive into the meat and potatoes of this review, I need to give you some insight into how much you'll have to spend on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
iPhone 16 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe iPhone 16, available for pre-order as of now, starts at $799 via Apple's official store. The iPhone 16 Plus, on the other hand, starts at $899.
"Why does the iPhone 16 Plus cost more than the iPhone 16?" you may be wondering. Well, the iPhone 16 Plus has a larger display and a bigger battery, which means you should be able to squeeze out more runtime on a single charge (more on that later).
Other than the aforementioned differences, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus both share the same specs, including the following:
New A18 chip
8GB of RAM (required for Apple Intelligence support)
New Camera Control button
Action Button from last year's iPhone 15 Pro models
128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options
I highly recommend getting the 256GB storage option. Take it from me, 128GB runs out pretty quickly — in about a year and a half, give or take. (But I also understand there are budget constraints, so iCloud+ is another option for storage space if you don't mind subscriptions.)
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus $799.99The iPhone 16 Plus review unit I received, draped in bubble-gum pink deliciousness, would have been a showstopper during 2023's peak Barbie craze. It's just dripping in Margot Robbie cuteness, cotton candy sweetness, and pink lemonade joy.
iPhone 16 Plus in Pink Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableSimply called "Pink," this rose-tinted shade is available only for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
If you decide to go caseless (because you love this color as much as I do), you'll be relieved to know that iPhone 16 lineup is now equipped with an even more durable display glass that's technically "Ceramic Shield 2." The OG Ceramic Shield debuted with the iPhone 12, and four generations later, we've got a new-gen Ceramic Shield that is 50% tougher, according to Apple.
In other words, the screen on the iPhone 16 should be just a little more resistant to your clumsy incidents — within reason, of course. (Don't get too clumsy.)
My non-Plus iPhone 16, however, comes in teal. Not my taste (I would have preferred Ultramarine), but I love Apple's decision to leave the pastel palettes behind, going deep, vivid, and rich. Other colors on the iPhone 16 menu include black and white.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableBoth the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus no longer have their cameras arranged in a diagonal position. They're now stacked. This doesn't necessarily bother me. But since the iPhone 13, the base models have had that diagonal-style placement that became Apple's signature.
But now, the cameras are positioned in a way that's very Android-esque —à la Samsung Galaxy S24 and Nothing Phone (2). So if you have a finicky teenager who wants to fit in with their fellow iPhone-owning friends, the iPhone 16's new design may be a tough sell.
iPhone 16 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThey'll likely urge you to purchase, at the very least, the iPhone 16 Pro, which maintains that familiar, triple-camera Apple design language that screams "This is an expensive iPhone!"
iPhone 16 Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe iPhone 16 (particularly the non-Plus model) is beautifully light. If I accidentally dropped the iPhone 16 on my face while watching Love Island USA on my back — which is totally a "hypothetical" and never happened to me before — I won't get a black eye. Nice!
I checked the weight to see if the iPhone 16 is lighter than its predecessor — and there is, indeed, a tiny difference; Apple managed to shave off about 0.3 ounces gen-over-gen (6.03 ounces to 6 ounces). As for the chassis, the iPhone 16 is still 0.31 inches thin, which matches the iPhone 15.
iPhone 16 - 6 ounces
iPhone 15 - 6.03 ounces
iPhone 16 Plus is slightly lighter, too, but it has the same thickness as the iPhone 16 base model (0.31 inches).
iPhone 16 Plus - 7.02 ounces
iPhone 15 Plus - 7.09 ounces
I knew I wasn't losing it. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models are totally lighter than last year's entry-level variants.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models continue to have volume buttons on the left and a side key on the right (which doubles as a way of invoking Siri). But like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the entire iPhone 16 lineup now has the Action Button.
Finally, the iPhone 16 models are rated for splash, water, and dust resistance (i.e., IP68); this means they can handle six meters of water submergence for up to 30 minutes.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus displaySome people aren't going to like this, but sorry to say, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus still have a 60Hz screen.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableYou may be wondering, "Why won't Apple put a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 16?" My guess is that the Cupertino-based tech giant needs something to lure users into purchasing the Pro models (which have a variable refresh rate that go up to 120Hz). Also, there are superfans who don't give a rat's behind about whether a display is 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz; they love iPhone and will buy one regardless.
Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, which had their displays increase to 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively (yeah, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is practically a phablet at this point), the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus' displays have remained the same:
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableiPhone 16 - 6.1 inches, 2,556 x 1,179-pixel resolution, 1,000 nits of screen brightness (2,000 peak)
iPhone 16 Plus - 6.7 inches, 2,796 x 1,290-pixel resolution, 1,000 nits of screen brightness (2,000 peak)
The iPhone 16 models still have Dynamic Island (that pill-shaped notch at the top of the screen), which disguises the TrueDepth selfie camera. I found myself admiring it every now and then while listening to music. The bouncing waveform animations that dance along to my tunes are hypnotizing. But at the same time, I wouldn't miss it if it ever got the boot in the future. (More screen real estate is always welcome.)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI miss TouchID, though. Perhaps one day, maybe iPhone 17, I'll see it appear somewhere on the side of the chassis — or maybe under the display.
Of course, the iPhone 16's compact form factor is advantageous because it's more pocketable. But while using it for streaming pleasures, I couldn't help but miss my iPhone 15 Pro Max, which has 6.7 inches of delicious display. But I enjoyed the iPhone 16 Plus, which nearly matches my iPhone 15 Pro Max's dimensions.
While watching Netflix's Selling Sunset and taking in the colorful array of — er — interesting outfits in the famed real estate office, I noticed that the colors were vivid and heavily saturated on both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Action ButtonThe Action Button hit the iPhone last year — and it was an absolute hit. Some people configured this customizable button to have it call their spouse, others programmed it so that it plays their favorite Apple Music playlist.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI don't have a "cool" Action Button story. My use case is more practical. I configured the Action Button to pull up Google Authenticator, which lets me log into accounts with 2FA requirements. It's boring, yes, but it's super useful.
You can also use the Action Button to run more-than-one task using Shortcuts. For example, if your iPhone detects you're away from home, you can transform the Action Button into your "Tap to Pay" key, but if it "knows" you're at your residence, the Action Button can become a flashlight instead.
Personally, I'd love it if Apple could make it easier to assign more gestures (e.g., double and triple presses) to the Action Button. For example, with three quick presses, I can close Amazon super fast before my fiancé sees it — he's had enough of my designer perfume obsession.
The Action Button isn't the only button that's made its way onto the iPhone 16 models.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Camera ControlSince MagSafe, Camera Control is my absolute favorite hero feature that Apple has added in recent years. This is a slam dunk!
You can find the Camera Control button all across the iPhone 16 lineup Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI said this in my Camera Control hands-on, but with just a few gestures (e.g., sliding motion, and one or two presses), you can access so many camera features, including the following:
Zoom
Cameras (swap between ultrawide, wide, and 2X zoom)
Photographic Styles (e.g., filters like "Gold," "Amber," "Vibrant," and more)
Tone
Depth
Exposure
Camera Control makes it easier for me to play around with features I've often ignored, including depth and tone. While I use the likes of exposure and zoom all the time, Camera Control had me adding shadows and blur effects.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe Camera Control button, as a right-handed user, is easiest to use with two hands (e.g., the left hand is holding the iPhone and the right hand's pointer finger is doing all of the gesturing).
Camera Control button Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, my natural position in taking photos is typically one-handed. On my right hand, I balance the phone on my pinky while using my thumb to navigate. As such, with Camera Control, I needed to drop the thumb habit and start using my pointer finger as my primary Camera Control navigation finger.
The best part of Camera Control? I can instantly launch the Camera app while my phone is locked. Win!
Later this year, Camera Control will double as a gateway to Visual Intelligence (as part of the Apple Intelligence suite).
With Visual Intelligence, you can point the camera at any subject in your surroundings. And in a Meta AI-like manner (similar to the AI-powered Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses), it will tell you what you're seeing. For example, you can point at a dog — and it will tell you the breed.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus camerasSo let's start with the new camera feature on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: "optical quality" 2X zoom. You may be wondering, "What does that even mean?"
To put it simply, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, unlike the Pro models, do not have a telephoto sensor — the lens responsible for your zoomed-in photos.
However, as mentioned, Apple says it managed to deliver "optical quality" 2X zoom — meaning the image clarity is so good, you'd think that it does have a telephoto sensor.
So I put this to the test. Here's a 2X zoom shot of Arthur J. Hendrickson Park in Long Island.
Zoom - 2x "2X Zoom" shot of Valley Stream Community Center inside Hendrickson Park with iPhone 16 Plus Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableStunning right? The photo is so crisp, you can see the delineation of the red bricks that make up the edifice. The lawn is verdant and the ripples are sharply defined. Even when I increased the zoom to 5X, the image still looked great, though with some resolution loss, considering the low-light conditions.
"5X Zoom" shot of Valley Stream Community Center inside Hendrickson Park with iPhone 16 Plus Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable(Keep in mind that both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus share the same cameras, so it'd be redundant to share photos from both phones.)
WideThe iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus sport 48MP wide lenses; here are some photos.
iPhone 16 wide photo Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHere is a wide-lens picture of a sullied lake inside a Long Island park flanked by weeping willows. This image has a cooler, more true-to-life vibe. I'm a more vivid, warm type of girl. (As you'll learn later, though, you can use Photographic Styles to change the temperature to your liking.)
iPhone 16 wide photo of Chrysler Building Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThis photo captures the Chrysler Building against a clear blue sky, framed by both classic and modern architecture. The perspective creates a dynamic sense of depth, emphasizing the towering buildings as they converge upward. While the lighting is well-balanced, adding more contrast to the sky could enhance its impact against the structures.
Chicken sandwich taken with iPhone 16 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI love a good food photo, so here's a shot of a delicious chicken sandwich inside a well-lit fast-food spot in Manhattan. There's minimal noise, accurate color representation with the muted yellow fries, bright-red ketchup, and golden-brown bun.
Makes you want to take a bite, doesn't it? I'm particularly tickled by how well the wide lens captured the saucy, spicy texture of the chicken.
UltrawideSince you already saw the zoomed-in perspective of this photo in the "2x zoom" section, let me show you how the 12MP ultrawide lens performed.
Utlrawide shot taken with iPhone 16 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableIt looks dreamy, doesn't it? This is a sensor you use when you want to capture a landscape with an ethereal, silhouetted feel, full of contrast and mystery. It's worth noting that the iPhone 16's ultrawide sensor captures more light, improving image quality. Plus, this ultrawide lens now enables macro photography, so you can get crisp, close-up shots in fine detail.
For example, check out the macro photography shot of the Penny Mac flowers in my backyard.
Macrophotography with ultrawide lens. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHere's another shot that may be familiar to you — and my favorite photo so far.
Ultrawide picture taken with iPhone 16 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThis ultrawide shot looks like it was plucked right out of a storybook — it's giving "hidden oasis" vibes. The details in the foreground are relatively sharp, the colors are balanced, and the full scope of the landscape was captured, showcasing the stream and surrounding greenery. But naturally, this was shot in low-light conditions, so the limitations of the ultrawide lens are shown with the background's lack of fine detail.
For upgraded ultrawide, check out the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
SelfieThe iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus continue to sport a 12MP selfie camera. No, I don't mind that Apple didn't upgrade it because I can't imagine that lens getting any sharper.
iPhone 16 selfie Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableIt's also worth noting that the iPhone 16 models, thanks to the A18 series chip inside, have new iPhone 16-exclusive Photographic Styles filters, including "Gold," "Amber," "Quiet," and "Cozy."
"Quiet" Photographic Style Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable "Natural" Photographic Style Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable "Ethereal" Photographic Style Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWhat makes Photographic Styles different from other filters? Well, most filters simply choose a color vibe and apply it to the whole image globally — without regard for your skin tone and other precious elements in the photo. Photographic Styles, on the other hand, intelligently applies filters without completely losing the essence of the photo.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus performanceThe iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have a new A18 chip that's packed with a faster processor, zippier graphics, and an improved Neural Engine (the unit responsible for AI processing and machine learning).
iPhone 16 in teal colorway Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI ran Geekbench 6, a benchmark that tests processor prowess, on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Here are the multi-core scores:
iPhone 16 - 7,878
iPhone 16 Plus - 7,897
Um, can we talk about how these scores match a budget gaming laptop we reviewed, the Lenovo LOQ 15, which notched a multi-core score of 7,575 on the same test?
Other smartphone competitors don't even come close to these numbers. The Google Pixel 9, for example, has a nasty multi-core score of 4,358. To be fair, though, one could argue that the iPhone 16 phones are overpowered. No phone needs the power of a gaming laptop, but hey, Apple can continue to brag about its undefeated streak in the performance department.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus battery lifeApple said that the A18 chip is also energy efficient — and it wasn't kidding.
Apple put bigger batteries all across the iPhone 16 lineup and it shows. We ran a TikTok rundown with the displays at 50% of brightness. Here are the results we got for each phone:
iPhone 16 - 16 hours and 20 minutes
iPhone 16 Plus - 18 hours and 53 minutes
I can't believe my eyes. The iPhone 16 Plus lasted almost 19 hours. It also outperformed the iPhone 16 Pro, which lasted 18 hours and 17 minutes. But that's not too surprising because the iPhone 16 Pro has a smaller battery compared to the iPhone 16 Plus.
The iPhone 16 has the shortest battery life in the entire lineup (the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasted more than 25 hours), but it crushed rivals like the Google Pixel 9, which lasted 16 hours and 6 minutes on a single charge.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Apple IntelligenceCompared to the likes of Meta and Google that have gone full throttle with artificial intelligence (AI), Apple has taken a more conservative approach.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableIt may appear that Apple is "behind," but really, the company is just taking its time. It's likely seen the feedback and backlash that consumers have had with the likes of Meta AI and Gemini — and it doesn't want to follow the same footsteps.
Apple announced Apple Intelligence this year, at WWDC 2024 specifically, and outlined some new features that will drop on iOS 18. At the time, Apple said that those features will only be available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. But now, Apple Intelligence is getting support across the entire iPhone 16 lineup.
Some Apple Intelligence features include the Clean Up tool (remove unwanted objects in photos), a new-and-improved Siri, Writing Tools (get assistance tone adjustment for emails and text), call recording, and more.
Apple's "Clean Up" tool Left: Original photo Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Right: Apple's "Clean Up" tool results Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableYou can test all of these aforementioned features in a beta version of iOS 18 beta (but make sure you back up your iPhone before trying them out). I've tested them myself and had a relatively smooth experience with them all. However, some Apple Intelligence features, like Genmoji (lets you create your own emoji with text prompts) and Image Playground (AI-generated imagery), are not out yet — not even for beta testing.
The next big update, iOS 18, officially dropped on Sept. 16. However, Apple Intelligence will start rolling out to phones sometime in October with iOS 18.1.
Are iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus worth it?For the battery life increase alone, yes, the entry-level iPhone 16 models are worth it, but I recommend the iPhone 16 Plus even more.
Battery life anxiety is real. Nothing is worse than wondering if I'll be able to order an Uber at the end of the night because I'm only at 20%. With the iPhone 16 Plus, however, lasting nearly 19 hours on a single charge, its power efficiency makes it worth every single penny.
On top of that, there's a new Camera Control button, a tougher display, improved zoom up to 2X, the inheritance of the Action Button, and three stunning new colors (Ultramarine, Pink, and Teal). Oh, and Apple Intelligence, too. Even if you don't care about AI, you'll eventually get a sense of FOMO while everyone is sending "Genmoji" to each other. And well — you can't.
The iPhone 16 starts at $799 and the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Shop NowThe iPhone 16 Pro Max was like the Energizer Bunny on our battery life test. It just kept going, and going, and going.
The flagship Apple device knocked the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL off its throne, the former reigning battery life champion.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL lasted nearly 19 hours — 18 hours and 50 minutes, to be exact — on a single charge, which is impressively long. However, as it turns out, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is even more power-efficient than its Google rival.
iPhone 16 Pro Max battery lifeOn our TikTok rundown battery test, which loops a continuous video until it dies with the display at 50% of brightness, the iPhone 16 Pro Max ran out of juice after 25 hours and 17 minutes.
iPhone 16 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableAs a seasoned tech reviewer, I've seen mobile manufacturers claim that their products have "all-day battery life," but when I test them myself, the reality is that they have half-day battery life, conking out after just several hours.
However, Apple can actually say that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is capable of surviving for more than a day.
Based on typical usage, which includes internet surfing, streaming, and some idle time, you could probably get away with not charging the iPhone 16 Pro Max for about two days before you need to juice up again.
Curious to see the battery runtimes of other smartphones we've tested? Here's a quick list:
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra - 13 hours and 1 minute
Google Pixel 9 - 16 hours and 6 minutes
iPhone 16 - 16 hours and 20 minutes
iPhone 16 Pro - 18 hours and 17 minutes
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL - 18 hours and 50 minutes
iPhone 16 Plus - 18 hours and 53 minutes
iPhone 16 Pro Max - 25 hours and 17 minutes
At the Sept. 9 "Glowtime" event, where Apple unveiled the new iPhone 16 lineup, the Cupertino-based tech giant boasted that the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the "best iPhone battery life ever" — and the company was right.
After the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Plus took second place with a runtime of 18 hours and 53 minutes, beating the Pixel 9 Pro XL by a hair (i.e., three minutes). The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is now in third place.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a starting price of $1,199 — and it's available for pre-order now.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 Pro Max Get DealAfter testing a cap on unanswered messages, Hinge announces the global launch of "Your Turn Limits" today.
Your Turn Limits prevents users from matching with new people when they have eight or more unanswered messages in their queue. The name expands on "Your Turn," a feature Hinge introduced in 2017 to prompt users to either start a conversation with a match or keep it going.
SEE ALSO: When an online match wants to meet up immediately, it’s OK to say noIf a user has reached the limit, they will have to respond to someone or unmatch in order to begin "liking" again. On the app, Your Turn Limits is displayed by a banner at the top of the message queue, either "You're approaching the limit" or "You're at the limit."
"When too many people are waiting for a reply, you need to reply or end chats," the banner states. "Then you can send likes."
Credit: Hinge Credit: HingeIf you attempt to match with someone new, a pop-up will tell you that too many people are waiting for a response — and that "research shows this leads to more dates." In 2023, Hinge matches where one person responded to the other's first message within a day were 72 percent more likely to result in a date.
Via GiphyYour Turn Limits rolls out to everyone on Hinge today, including free and paid users. In the test phase, Your Turn Limits increased responsiveness by 20 percent, according to Hinge. Almost half (48 percent) of users with Your Turn Limits said this feature helps increases people's ability to focus on quality over quantity. Meanwhile, 45 percent said the feature helps increase focus on current matches, and the same amount said the feature helps them be more thoughtful with current matches.
In an interview with Mashable back in May about Your Turn Limits, Hinge founder and CEO Justin McLeod said of the feature, "I think we'll see more conversations and more dates across a broader part of the population."
McLeod also said Hinge is aware of dating app burnout that singles are feeling, and the app is responding to it with features like this — that will hopefully get people on more dates.
The iPadOS 18 rollout isn't going exactly as planned.
Apple has reportedly pulled iPadOS 18 for M4 iPad Pro devices, per MacRumors, over an update that is causing issues for some iPads.
According to reports on Reddit and Apple's official Community portal, iPadOS 18 is "bricking" select M4 iPad Pro devices (bricking is slang for rendering the device completely useless as it cannot be turned on anymore).
SEE ALSO: New iPad mini might be coming soon"At some point during the update my iPad turned off, and would no longer turn on. I walked away during the update so I’m not sure when it broke. I tried all of the reset options but nothing worked. I just took it to the Apple Store who confirmed it’s completely bricked, but they said they had to send it out to their engineers before they can give me a replacement even though I have Apple care," wrote one Redditor.
"I updated my iPad Pro M4 to iOS 18. It did not go well, the iPad won't turn on, hard reset doesn't work and it doesn't show up on my Mac," wrote a user on Apple's forums.
The issue doesn't seem to extend to all M4 iPad Pro devices as some users have reported updating to iPadOS 18 without issue. Still, Apple has temporarily pulled the update for all M4 iPad Pros.
"We have temporarily removed the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models as we work to resolve an issue that is impacting a small number of devices," Apple told MacRumors in a statement.
It's unclear whether the affected iPads can be fixed with a software update, or whether they have to be taken to an Apple repair centre. For now, owners of M4 iPad Pro devices will not get the option to update to iPadOS 18, which should prevent further issues until the matter is resolved.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
If you’re a movie fan or enjoy nothing more than binge-watching box sets, chances are you've heard of Kodi. Kodi is a free, open-source software media player app formerly known as XBMB that acts as a hub for all your music, movies, and TV content, which can be shared across all of your devices.
Benefits include being able to turn your gadgets into a part of a digital streaming hub, accessing all sorts of file formats and searching for content in one place, watching geo-blocked content, and adding lots of customisable features via add ons such as iPlayer, which are needed for streaming content. Of course, there are drawbacks too, but most of these can be circumnavigated with a VPN, which encrypts data leaving a device and makes it impossible for others to see what you’re downloading.
What is a VPN?VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.
The act of hiding your real IP address is what can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country.
Do you need a VPN for Kodi?Having a VPN is important when using Kodi because the media player is popular and open source, so there are inevitably security flaws exploited by hackers. These are predominantly found within third party add-ons — some of which offer pirated material — rather than those found in the Official Kodi Addon Repository. VPNs assign a virtual IP address to obscure your real location from others, protecting you from security scams, viruses, and malware. For example, a VPN can stop malware infecting your home network from a Kodi box and add an extra layer of protection to your computer or laptop by securing the connection.
Using a VPN also enables a Kodi user to become anonymous, preventing hackers from gathering personal data needed for an add-on and assigning a different IP address that’s untraceable, keeping you safe and keeping your viewing habits secret. This obviously means there’s a benefit for when it comes to watching geo-unblocked and pirated content (which we obviously don't condone).
Whatever you choose to use Kodi for, a VPN will enhance its features while offering much-needed security.
What is the best VPN for Kodi?When assessing VPN providers, we really like NordVPN for Kodi because of its unbeatable security and no logging policy. One of the largest VPN services around, NordVPN has user-friendly apps for iOS, Android, Mac OS, and more — so all of your devices can be covered. We're also fans of ExpressVPN, which we found to be the easiest VPN to use for accessing geo-blocked streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Let's face it — Kodi isn't the only way you experience your entertainment and if you're going to invest in a VPN for Kodi, it makes sense that it works well with streaming services too. We're all about options.
Whether you’re looking for high speeds or an easy interface, we've lined up all of your best options.
These are the best VPNs for Kodi in 2024.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
VPNs are useful for anyone around the world, but these powerful cybersecurity services are even more important when you're travelling to a country with tight restrictions on internet usage, like China. If you're planning a trip to China or you've made the country your home, you could benefit from using a VPN.
Do you need a VPN in China?You've probably heard and read quite a bit about China's internet censorship, but what does it actually mean for the average internet user in the country? What is understood is that the Chinese government block access to foreign websites and slows down cross-border internet traffic. The government censors content for mainly political reasons, but also to maintain its control over the population.
This system of censorship is named the 'Great Firewall' and is the largest system of its type in the world. If you’re travelling to the vast country, then your internet privileges will be severly restricted. Fortunately it's not an experience most people will be familar, but it has become the norm for Chinese citizens.
If you’re visiting the country, you can circumvent this system by using a virtual private network, or VPN. Take it from us: You don't have to get blocked in China. While using a VPN in China is technically legal, providers play a game of cat-and-mouse with the authorities, which periodically crack down and try to block servers and throttle bandwidth, much to the annoyance of internet users.
Users in China may have to swap VPNs if theirs becomes blocked, but having one is a necessity for anyone wanting unfettered access to foreign websites, from news sites to social media and Google. If you’re on holiday in China you'll need a VPN for posting snaps to Instagram and keeping in touch with friends using Whatsapp. This is because VPNs assign a virtual IP address to obscure your real location from others, enabling you to circumnavigate geo-blocking and censorship measures as if you are based somewhere without them. VPNs also encrypt data, leaving your computer or device to make it impossible for others to see what you’re downloading, which is useful in a country where surveillance is a top priority for the authorities.
What should you consider when using a VPN in China?The first thing to consider when using a VPN in China is that while it's perfectly legal, it will be frowned on by the authorities. It's not something to be taken lightly and you should think carefully about your priorities before you take any decision. The second thing to know about VPNs in China is that it’s easier to install one before you arrive.
Server number and location (in China if possible), high speeds, and extra layers of security are all important things to look for in a VPN. Reliable customer service is also an important consideration, because if you experience technical difficulties while you’re there, the fastest service available isn’t much use to you if you can’t troubleshoot.
What is the best VPN for China?To help you make your decision, we have lined up a selection of the best VPNs for China, including popular services like PureVPN and NordVPN. All you need to do is pick a favourite option from this list.
These are the best VPNs for China in 2024.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
There are three realisations you come to once you enter the real world as a working adult:
A 9 to 5 job is rarely ever just 9 to 5.
Your free time is pretty limited.
Dating kinda sucks.
The social freedoms you enjoyed before joining the rat race take a hit once you're a working professional. Unfortunately for singles, this can be hazardous for your dating life.
There is no need to despair though, because you can have the best of both worlds with the help of a dating site.
Should working professionals consider dating sites?For busy professionals, the idea of "finding someone" might seem like a daunting task. With deadlines, work dinners, and meetings galore, trying to meet someone often falls to the very end of your to do list. If you're an introvert as it is, your social meter is way too drained from small talk with colleagues to even think about introducing yourself to a cute random. This is why dating apps were invented though: to make online dating way easier, enabling you to use your free time wisely.
SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for womenBeing a single, working professional is actually kind of a weird time: Somehow, you can have the career and money part of your life so together while the love part is a flaming pile of garbage. While the gist of online dating is easy, finding someone who's also goal-oriented and will understand your lifestyle can be tricky. Not every dating app will make sense for career-focused folks, but looking at things like user base, requirements to sign up, and overall vibe of the app can up your chances of finding what you're looking for. Most dating apps have a section to write in your job or career, which makes it easier to weed out people who don't quite match your goals or lifestyle.
Do you need to pay for the best dating apps?There are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are seriously popular options with massive networks of users. Plus, most of the biggest and best dating sites have free versions with limitations on certain features. So yes, you can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything. There are levels to this game though, and sometimes free apps just don't cut it.
This won't be a surprise to hear, but you get what you pay for with dating sites and apps. For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash. We're sorry to break it to you, but the best dating sites don't come cheap.
What is the best dating site for working professionals?Whether it's something casual or a long-term relationship that you want, there's an app that will make your search a whole lot easier. We found that with sites like EliteSingles, eharmony, and Match, the initial output (such as the lengthy sign up and/or membership fee) is worth it for the return. After all, those who are willing to pay the price for love are clearly serious, unlike some swipe-based free apps where the likelihood of even meeting up in real life can be slim to none.
The good news is that there are plenty of other options out there for working professionals, so you should always be able to find something that ticks your boxes. We've lined up a selection of dating sites to suit every dater and budget. You just need to pick a favourite from the bunch.
These are the best dating sites for working professionals in 2024.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Mashable's readers (and writers) are known for being obsessive about the things we love. You may say we kind of geek out about things. Okay, fine, we are geeks. We're not bothered by this, because geeks are awesome.
Dating as a geek requires combing through normies and too much dating through the same group of locals. This is where dating sites can help.
Why do people use dating sites?Even the most awesome geeks can use a bit of assistance in the dating department. Not because there aren't enough geeks out there, but because dating as a geek is tough. For women, it can involve a lot of creepy guys who want their manic pixie dream girl. For men, it can involve a lot of simply trying to not be that guy. If you're in the majority of geeks who are a little bit introverted, dating can be really intimidating.
News flash: Loving sci-fi and being madly in love are not mutually exclusive, and success stories from dating sites prove this. You can still find love out there in the real world, but subscribing to a dating site shortens your odds of making a connection.
Do you need to pay for the best dating apps?The good news is that there are plenty of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are seriously popular options with huge networks of users. Most of the biggest and best dating sites also offer free versions of their services (with limitations on certain features). You can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything, but sometimes free apps simply don't cut it.
SEE ALSO: The best dating sites for gamersYou get what you pay for with dating sites and apps. For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to dig a little deeper in your pockets. The best dating sites don't come cheap, and whilst you can still find a hookup with a free app, you should upgrade is you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control.
What is the best dating site for geeks?We have compared all of the internet's top dating sites, trendy swiping apps, and geek-specific sites to find the ones where geeks can express themselves and find that special someone. Hidden in the millions of users, you could find that person who hated the Game of Thrones ending as much as you, or someone who dreams of the perfect couples cosplay. Maybe you're a geek in the streets and a freak in the sheets — there are plenty of apps where geeks can just find a hookup, too.
In terms of general dating sites, we really like Match, which has a tried-and-true algorithm and huge user base. Geek-specific dating sites that aren't totally outdated are few and far between, but we were impressed by Gamer Dating. We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a handpicked selection of the best dating options for geeks and nerds, including popular services like Match, eharmony, and AdultFriendFinder.
These are the best online dating sites for geeks and nerds in 2024.
I'm not normally a fan of idealizing the past — there are just as many horrors to be found in looking backwards as there are in looking ahead — but I can think of one good reason why life might have been a little bit better when computers were really slow and crappy.
People these days are way too comfortable walking around with dozens (if not hundreds) of browser tabs open on their phone or laptop at any given time. This has been normal for a number of years, and I'm here to argue that it shouldn't be. I understand that I can't control anyone else's behavior, and I wouldn't if I could, but hear me out. This isn't for my sake, but for yours.
Having a gargantuan number of tabs open is a decadent privilege that those of us who grew up before tabbed browsing could never imagine 20 years ago. Back before the days of smartphones, when people had one point of internet access in their homes, at most, and otherwise spent their days blissfully disconnected, computers were pretty slow. Unless you had a serious rig, you were probably dealing with a store-bought piece of crap that buckled if you opened more than five tabs at once.
This may sound like a bad thing, but in hindsight, that particular limitation helped me form some life-changing habits. I learned that if I didn't handle my business in an open tab and left it there to fester and take up valuable RAM, everything else about the computer-using experience would get worse. Clicking around on funny soundboards or watching flash videos (these are things we used to do online) became sort of a nightmare if you weren't careful.
SEE ALSO: Stop trying to work in multiple browser tabs. It's terrible for your focus.More broadly, I learned that I need to be decisive when determining whether or not I'm really going to get back to something later. If I open an interesting-sounding article and don't read it within an hour, that tab's getting closed. The same goes for a YouTube video or anything else that comes across my feeds. If it's urgently important to me, I'll try to get to it as soon as possible. If not, then, well, sayonara. If it isn't so fascinating that I need to get to it within the hour, I can probably live without it. It's sort of applying the Marie Kondo method to your digital life: Does this tab really spark interest?
In this era of constantly being a consumer in one fashion or another, whether with your literal dollars or just with your time and energy, it's important to realize that you can't get to everything. You're not going to read every trendy personal essay that your friends are dunking on or watch every viral YouTuber apology video. You might think you will, but be realistic with yourself. The zeitgeist around that essay was four months ago; are you really going to read it now?
Open your browser, count how many open tabs you have, and really take stock for a second. When was the last time you actually got to any of that stuff? If it wasn't recently, just flush it all down the toilet. Free yourself from your burdens. If any of it actually matters to you, it'll pop up in your brain again eventually.
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