9to5Mac

Latest

Four ways to achieve shallow depth of field without buying the iPhone 18 Pro

Four ways to achieve shallow depth of field with an older iPhone | Portrait mode photo shown

The variable aperture lens of the shiny new iPhone 18 Pro goes almost one stop wider than the fixed aperture lens in its predecessor: up from f/1.78 in the iPhone 17 Pro to f/1.48 (a smaller number is wider).

In principle, this will allow for slightly shallower depth of field, enabling greater separation between your subject and the background – although it’s a relatively small difference. But there are four ways to achieve shallow depth of field (DOF) with much older iPhones …

Expand Expanding Close

Here’s why I left T-Mobile for an MVNO

T-Mobile app icon in Trash

I had been a loyal T-Mobile customer since 2016, when the company introduced its T-Mobile ONE plan. I had a military discount the entire time I was with them, but even with that discount my bill eventually ballooned to $113 a month thanks to T-Mobile’s price hikes. I decided enough was enough, so I started looking for a cheaper alternative. Plus, with Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro costing at least $100 more this year, I thought cutting my cell phone bill might help soften the blow if I upgraded to a new device. And so, I sought out an MVNO.

Expand Expanding Close

Deals: AirPods 5 from $64 w/ trade, AirPods Pro 3, Studio Display XDR $330 off, Ceramic Apple Watch, more

Alongside the ongoing AirPods Pro 3 deal, pre-orders are flying on the new AirPods 5Apple Watch Ultra 4, and Apple Watch Series 12 with some early discounts. We just detailed how to score the new AirPods 5 from just $64 at up to 50% off (right here) and Amazon just delivered the first pre-order discount on the luxurious new Ceramic Apple Watch Series 12. We also have a sizable discount on this Studio Display XDR model at $330 off, the return of all-time low pricing on AirTag from $20 each, and a solid $50 off Sharge’s impressive metal 300W smart display power bank. Check it all out below. 

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Mac Daily: September 11, 2026 – More on Apple Intelligence, iPhone Duo 

9to5mac daily podcast

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts appStitcherTuneInGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by Stuff:Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. A simple to-do list for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with powerful tools that make organizing, tracking, and checking off your tasks a whole lot more satisfying. Get Stuff done.

Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing’s platform for data transfer and device management keeps getting better. Get 20% off iMazing with code 9TO5-SEP26-20OFF. 

Expand Expanding Close

Apple shares the data behind Apple Watch Series 12’s biggest health claim

Apple makes a bold claim when it comes to Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. According to Apple, the new Health Sensing System on both watches “delivers the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable.” Apple backs up this claim with a new study that shows how Series 12 heart rate sensing compares to other leading wearables, including smart rings and fitness bands.

Expand Expanding Close

John Ternus and Greg Joswiak reveal why now is the time for iPhone Duo

Following this week’s Apple event, new Apple CEO John Ternus and marketing SVP Greg Joswiak sat down for an interview to talk more about the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo.

In the interview with Tom’s Guide and TechRadar, Ternus and Joswiak discussed why Apple decided that now was the time to enter the foldable market. Ternus also touched on his feelings after his first week as Apple CEO.

Expand Expanding Close

iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, and AirPods 5 event

Benjamin and Chance react to the September Apple event in this bumper special episode, featuring our first impressions (and Chance’s initial hands-on from the ground at Apple Park) with iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5 and the new Apple Watch lineup. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, even more thoughts on the iPhone Duo, and how Apple presented John Ternus’s first event as CEO. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

  • Sponsored by Quince: Find your next fall favorites at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or visit quince.com/happyhour. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.
  • Sponsored by Shopify: All you need is the idea. Shopify handles the rest. Start your free trial at shopify.com/happyhour.
  • Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing’s platform for data transfer and device management keeps getting better. Get 20% off iMazing with code 9TO5-SEP26-20OFF. 
  • Sponsored by Bitwarden: Register for the free, virtual Open Source Security Summit on September 17, featuring cybersecurity leaders David Sanger and Joseph Menn — and check out Bitwarden for trusted open source password, passkey, and secrets management, with end-to-end encryption and seamless autofill across all your devices.
Expand Expanding Close

9to5Mac Daily: September 10, 2026 – AirPods 5, iPhone price increases

9to5mac daily podcast

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts appStitcherTuneInGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by Stuff:Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. A simple to-do list for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with powerful tools that make organizing, tracking, and checking off your tasks a whole lot more satisfying. Get Stuff done.

Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing’s platform for data transfer and device management keeps getting better. Get 20% off iMazing with code 9TO5-SEP26-20OFF. 

Expand Expanding Close