AirPods Pro 3 hit low $179 price just weeks after adding new features

9to5mac.com Oct 4, 2026

AirPods Pro 3 hit low $179 price just weeks after adding new features

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 4, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Amazon has begun its fall Prime Day promotions early, offering Apple’s third‑generation AirPods Pro for $179 shipped, a $70 discount from the $249 list price. The price drop follows a summer dip to $199 and arrives just weeks after Apple added several software upgrades via iOS 27, including Custom EQ, enhanced Adaptive Audio controls, and improved Find My integration. The AirPods Pro 3 feature three‑times better active noise cancellation, longer battery life, on‑device heart‑rate sensing, and hearing‑aid support, positioning them above the newly released AirPods 5, which start at $129 with optional wireless‑charging case at $149. The deal coincides with other Apple discounts, such as $200 off M5 MacBook Air models, underscoring a broader price‑cut strategy ahead of the Prime Big Deal Days.

💡 Why It Matters

· The steep discount makes the Pro‑level features accessible to a wider audience just as Apple expands its ecosystem with new health and audio controls.

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Apple Removes Bitchat From App Store On Meity Demand

Apple removed the offline messaging app Bitchat from its India App Store after a formal takedown request from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The removal was executed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, citing illegal content and App Review Guidelines violations, though the specific grounds were not disclosed. Apple directed Bitchat’s developer to contact MeitY for details and limited the app’s availability to India only, while it remains accessible elsewhere. The action follows heightened scrutiny following July protests, where Bitchat facilitated communication amid internet restrictions, leading to a surge in Indian downloads and subsequent government interventions.

💡 The move underscores India’s tightening control over digital platforms amid concerns over misuse by anti‑national actors. It signals a broader trend of governments leveraging legal provisions to curb apps deemed security risks.

appleinsider.com · Oct 4

Amazon’s $199 Apple Watch deal is back for Prime Big Deal Days

Amazon has revived its $199 Apple Watch SE 3 promotion as part of the October Prime Big Deal Days sale. The discount applies to the 40 mm GPS model, reduced from $249 to $199, and the 44 mm version is $229. Additional cuts include $10 off the newly released Apple Watch Series 12 (42 mm and 46 mm configurations) and $20 off the Apple Watch Ultra 4 in two colorways. A deeper blowout offers the Apple Watch Ultra 3 with a black titanium case and Milanese band for $699.97, $200 below its regular price. Amazon lists further savings of up to $200 across its smartwatch lineup, positioning the event as a holiday shopping opportunity for consumers seeking wearables. Deal seekers can also compare prices on the companion price guide.

💡 The steep markdowns give price‑sensitive buyers access to Apple’s premium wearables ahead of the holiday rush, potentially reshaping purchase timing for the brand’s high‑margin accessories.

appleinsider.com · Oct 4

Crime blotter: Two arrested for stealing from Apple Store, yoga store

Two men from Queens were arrested after stealing more than $9,000 in merchandise from the Apple Store at Garden State Plaza and the ALO Yoga shop at American Dream Mall in New Jersey. Police recovered ten Apple accessories worth $921 from their vehicle and charged them with shoplifting, retail theft and receiving stolen property. In Miami Beach, a 48‑year‑old cab driver was detained for leading a scheme that targeted intoxicated nightclub patrons, using facial recognition and biometrics to unlock iPhones and conduct fraudulent transactions; he faces eight counts including kidnapping and organized fraud. The roundup also notes other Apple‑related crimes this week, such as a stolen iPhone 18 Pro in India, a $14,000 Costco theft in Pennsylvania, and a food trailer recovered via an AirTag in Virginia.

💡 The arrests expose how criminals are leveraging Apple’s biometric features and accessory value to orchestrate sophisticated, cross‑border theft operations.

engadget.com · Oct 4

How has Apple’s Mac Studio changed over the years?

Apple’s Mac Studio has retained its compact 7.7‑inch square, 3.7‑inch‑tall aluminum chassis for four successive generations, but its internal silicon has evolved dramatically since the line debuted in 2022. The original model shipped with an M1 Ultra chip limited to 128 GB of memory, while the latest version features an M5 Ultra processor supporting up to 512 GB and delivering 1.2 TB/s memory bandwidth—about 50 % faster than the preceding M3 Ultra. Apple omitted an M4 Ultra due to hardware constraints, opting instead to jump from M3 to M5. Alongside the performance gains, pricing has risen; the entry‑level M4 Max configuration increased from $1,999 to $2,499 in June, reflecting higher memory costs.

💡 The leap in memory capacity and bandwidth positions Mac Studio as a more viable platform for demanding creative and AI workloads, while the price hike underscores Apple’s shifting cost structure for high‑end hardware.

macworld.com · Oct 4

Apple confirms iPhone cellular issue, admits affected units can’t be fixed

Apple has officially acknowledged a software defect affecting iPhone 18 Pro Max units, which can prevent calls, texts, data, and even emergency 911 access. The issue was first reported in mid‑September, prompting AT&T to warn customers to update to iOS 27.0.1. Apple’s release notes for the update do not mention a fix, and many users report the problem persists after installing 27.0.1. The company’s admission marks the first formal recognition of the bug, though a resolution remains unclear.

💡 The flaw threatens basic communication for a flagship model, raising concerns over software reliability and customer trust in Apple’s post‑launch support.

9to5mac.com · Oct 4

Here’s everything we know so far about Apple’s next entry-level iPad: A19…

Apple is preparing to launch a refreshed entry‑level iPad equipped with a new A19 processor, N1 networking chip and C1X modem, bringing Wi‑Fi 7 support to its cheapest tablet. The device will ship with 8 GB of RAM, enabling Siri AI features but falling short of the 12 GB required for Apple’s most advanced local models. Pricing is expected to stay at $449 after the recent increase that aligned the base iPad with its 2022 launch price. No redesign or display upgrades are anticipated, though new color options may appear. Apple may assign a distinct name such as “SE” or “Neo” to differentiate the model. The launch is slated for next spring alongside other upcoming products like the M6 MacBook Air and A19‑powered MacBook Neo.

💡 Introducing Wi‑Fi 7 and a more powerful chip in the budget iPad gives Apple a rare performance edge in the low‑cost tablet segment, potentially reshaping consumer expectations for entry‑level devices.