Apple Cuts MacBooks by Up to $540 and AirPods by Up to $100 in Weekend Sale

Q: Why are tech experts warning against Apple’s discounted MagSafe battery in favor of faster third-party chargers?

Tech experts say Apple’s discounted MagSafe battery is only a good niche buy for iPhone Air owners, not the best value charger overall, because it is slower and smaller than many third-party alternatives. The main concern is charging speed. Apple’s iPhone Air MagSafe Battery tops out at 12W wireless charging, even though Qi2 third-party magnetic batteries now commonly deliver 15W, and newer Qi2.2 models can go higher on supported phones. In practical terms, that means Apple’s own pack can be outpaced by rivals from Anker, UGREEN, Baseus, and Belkin. Capacity is the other weakness. Apple’s battery is praised for being unusually thin and elegant, but its roughly 3,149mAh size offers limited extra runtime compared with many competing packs that offer 5,000mAh or 10,000mAh. Reviewers note that buyers paying for emergency power on the go may get more usable battery life from a third-party pack, often at a similar or even lower price. Compatibility also matters. Apple designed this battery specifically for the iPhone Air, with a magnet layout tailored to that phone’s shape and camera bar. On other iPhones, it may need awkward sideways placement and can charge less efficiently, reducing its appeal as a universal accessory. That is why experts frame the sale price of $59 as attractive only if you specifically want Apple’s slim first-party design. If speed, capacity, or broader compatibility matter more, third-party Qi2 chargers are widely seen as the better buy.

2 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · Aug 15

$540 discounts on M5 Pro MacBook Pro models lead Apple’s weekend deals, with refurbished 16-inch configurations falling to $2,549 from $2,999 and some 14-inch versions to $2,719 from $3,199.
AirPods promotions span the lineup, including AirPods Pro 3 at $190 from $249, AirPods Max 2 at $449 from $549, and AirPods 4 with ANC at $135 — their lowest price in six months.
Apple also marked down other hardware, with Apple Watch Series 11 starting at $299, Apple Watch Ultra 3 with Milanese Loop at $800, and the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery at $59 from $99.
Most of the steepest Mac discounts are tied to Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store, while additional charging-gear offers are available through Amazon as part of the broader weekend promotion.