Apple Buyer's Guide

How the Buyer's Guide works

How does the Buyer's Guide decide when to buy?

Apple updates most products on a fairly regular schedule. For each product we measure how long the previous models took to arrive, then compare that cycle with how long the current model has been on sale. A recently released model is a safe buy; one that has gone most of its usual cycle is likely to be replaced soon.

What do the release dates mean?

Dates are when each model first went on sale, not when it was announced, so they can be a few days after Apple's event.

Is the recommendation always right?

No. It is based on past release patterns, not on inside information. Apple sometimes skips or delays a generation, so treat it as a guide. When we know something the cycle can't, such as a confirmed launch date, we override the automatic result.

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