Apple Holiday Gift Guide 2016
- mar
- 16
How to pick the perfect iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, iPod, Mac, or Apple TV gift for your or yours!
Heading into the holiday and sale season makes it the perfect time to pick up a new Apple iPhone or iPad, Watch or TV, MacBook Pro or iMac. But how do you know the right one to get? Enter iMore's holiday gift guide for everything Apple! All of Apple's 2016 products are broken down along with who they're recommended for and why. Simply read through and pick the perfect one for you or for whomever's on your shopping list. Enjoy!
iPhone | iPad | Watch | TV | iPod | Mac
iPhone
The iPhone is the phone everyone wants. Currently the latest and greatest is the 4.7-inch iPhone 7, 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus, and the 4-inch iPhone SE, but the year-old iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are still around at a lower price.
Read the complete iPhone buyers guide
We recommend: iPhone 7 Plus, Verizon/Sprint or SIM-free model. Go for one of the new blacks!
iPhone 7
The iPhone 7 includes a 4.7-inch 1334x750 Retina display at 326 ppm with DCI-P3 wide color gamut. It also shoots optically-stabilized 12 mp photos and takes 4K video. It has a fourth-generation 64-bit Apple A10 Fusion chipset with two power cores and two power-saving cores, 3 GB of memory, and 32 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB storage options. It includes 3D Touch, Live Photos, second-generation Touch ID, Apple Pay and a new, virtual, force touch Home button. It's also IP67 water resistant, which means it's protected against accidental splashes and brief submersions. Available in silver, gold, rose gold, (matt) black and jet black. it runs iOS 10, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $650 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released September 2016. Will likely be replaced in September 2017.
Bottom-line: If you want a phone, you want the iPhone 7.
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 7 Plus includes a 5.5-inch 1920x1080 Retina display at 401 ppm with DCI-P3 wide color gamut. It also includes a new camera system with both telephoto and wide-angle lenses allowing for 2x optical zoom and 10x digital, and a coming-soon depth-of-field mode that simulates bokeh on portraits. It also shoots optically stabilized 12 mp photos and takes 4K video. It has a fourth-generation 64-bit Apple A10 Fusion chipset with two power cores and two power-saving cores, 3 GB of memory, and 32 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB storage options. It includes 3D Touch, Live Photos, second-generation Touch ID, Apple Pay and a new, virtual, force touch Home button. It's also IP67 water resistant, which means it's protected against accidental splashes and brief submersions. Available in silver, gold, rose gold, (matt) black and jet black. it runs iOS 10, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $770 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released September 2016. Will likely be replaced in September 2017.
Bottom-line: If you want a phone that's also a tiny tablet, you want the iPhone 7 Plus.
iPhone 6s
The iPhone 6s includes a 4.7-inch 1334x750 Retina display at 326 ppm, shoots 12 mp photos and takes 4K video. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9 chipset, 2 GB of memory, and 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options. It includes 3D Touch, Live Photos, second-generation Touch ID, and Apple Pay. Available in space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold, it runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $650 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released September 2015. Price dropped September 2016.
Bottom-line: If you don't need water resistance, better low-light, or a faster processor, but still want a phone-sized phone, you want the iPhone 6s.
iPhone 6s Plus
The iPhone 6s Plus includes a 5.5-inch 1920x1080 Retina display at 401 ppm, shoots optically stabilized 12 mp photos and takes 4K video. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9 chipset, 2 GB of memory, and 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options. It includes 3D Touch, Live Photos, second-generation Touch ID, and Apple Pay. Available in space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold, it runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $750 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released September 2015. Price dropped September 2016.
Bottom-line: If you don't need water resistance, better low-light, optical zoom, or a faster processor, but still want a big phone, you want the iPhone 6s Plus.
iPhone SE
The iPhone SE includes a 4-inch 1136x640 Retina display at 326 ppm, shoots 12 mp photos and takes 4K video. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9 chipset, 2 GB of memory, and 16 GB and 64 GB storage options. It includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, is available in space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold, runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs over a million App Store apps and games. Starts at $399 full price, though contracts or payment plans typically reduce up-front costs.
Status: Released March 2016. May be replaced in 2017 or 2018.
Bottom line: If you want a smaller phone, that's almost as good as an iPhone 6s, you want iPhone SE.
iPad
iPads are the personal computer made even more personal. With larger multitouch screen, hundreds of thousands of tablet-optimized apps, and options for both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, they may not be as powerful as Macs, but they can be even more empowering.
Note: The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is expected to be updated with a DCI-P3, True Tone display, and both iPads Pro, along with the 7.9-inch iPad mini, are expected to be updated with Apple A10(X) processors in spring 2017.
We recommend: 9.7-inch iPad Pro with Logitech Create keyboard and Apple Pencil.
Read the complete iPad buyers guide
12.9-inch iPad Pro
The bigger iPad Pro has 12.9-inch, 2732x2048 laminated display at 264 ppi. It shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos and has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9X chipset, 4 GB of memory, and 32 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB storage options. It includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, Split View apps, and is compatible with Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. Available in space gray, silver, or gold, the iPad Pro also has a cellular/LTE option on 128 GB and 256 GB model. Starts at $799.
Status: Released November 2015. May be updated to iPad Pro 2 in the spring of 2017.
Bottom line: If you want a the biggest and most powerful iPad money can buy, you want the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
9.7-inch iPad Pro
The smaller iPad Pro has 9.7-inch, 2048x1536 laminated display at 264 ppi. It shoots 12mp photos, Live Photos, and takes 4K videos. It has a third-generation 64-bit Apple A9X chipset, 2 GB of memory, and 32 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB storage options. It includes True Tone, Touch ID, Apple Pay, Split View apps and is compatible with Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. Available in space gray, silver, gold, or rose gold, a cellular/LTE option is available on all models model. Starts at $599.
Status: Released March 2016. May be updated to iPad Pro 2 in spring of 2017.
Bottom line: If you want a the most powerful iPad money can buy — but you want it in the original iPad size — you want the 9.7 inch iPad Pro.
iPad Air 2
The iPad Air 2 has a 9.7-inch 2048x1536 laminated display at 264 ppi. It shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos. It has a second-generation 64-bit Apple A8X chipset, 2 GB of memory, 32 GB and 128 GB storage options, includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, and Split View apps. Available in space gray, silver, or gold, there's a Cellular/LTE option available on all models. Starts at $399.
Status: Released October 2014. Price dropped in March 2016. May be discontinued in 2017 or 2018.
Bottom line: If you want a 9.7-inch iPad but at the lowest cost of entry possible, you want the iPad Air 2.
iPad mini 4
The iPad mini 4 has a 7.9-inch 2048x1536 laminated display at 326 ppi. It shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos and has a second-generation 64-bit Apple A8 chipset, 2 GB of memory, 32 GB or 128 GB storage options, includes Touch ID, Apple Pay, and Split View apps. Available in space gray, silver, or gold, there's a cellular/LTE option available on all models. Starts at $399.
Status: Released September 2015. May be replaced by a "mini" iPad Pro in spring 2017.
Bottom line: If you want the most portable iPad possible, you want the iPad mini.
iPad mini 2
The iPad mini 2 has a 7.9-inch 2048x1536 laminated display at 326 ppi. It shoots 5mp photos and takes 1080p videos and has a first-generation 64-bit Apple A7 chipset, 1 GB of memory, and 32 GB of storage. Available in space gray or silver, there's a cellular/LTE option available on all models. Starts at $269.
Status: Released November 2013. Price reduced October 2014 and again September 2015.
Bottom line: If you don't care about Touch ID, Apple Pay, or the latest chipsets, but want a small sized tablet, you want the iPad mini 2.
Apple Watch
Apple Watch is the opposite of other Apple devices—it's not about how much time you can spend with it, but how much time it can save you. For time keeping, notifications and communications, health and fitness tracking, remote control, and more, it's Apple's most personal product yet.
We recommend: Apple Watch Series 2 aluminum with woven nylon buckle.
Read the complete Apple Watch buyers guide
Apple Watch Series 2
The Apple Watch Series 2 Series 2 comes with a 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display in either 7000 series aluminum and Ion-X glass, or stainless steel and sapphire. The aluminum case is available in sliver, space gray, gold, or rose gold, and comes paired with a fluoroelastomer sport or woven nylon band. The stainless steel case is available in polished steel or space black, and in addition to fluoroelastomer sport, has leather and steel band options. Powered by a second generation Apple S2 dual-core chipset with built-in GPS, it's swim-proof, has a longer-lasting battery, and starts at $369.
Status: Updated September 2016. Might be updated to Apple Watch Series 3 in 2017.
Bottom line: If you want the state-of-the-art of watches, with GPS and swim-proofing, you want Apple Watch Series 2.
Apple Watch Nike+
The Apple Watch Nike+ is an Apple Watch Series 2. It comes with a 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display in 7000 series aluminum and Ion-X glass. It's available in silver with silver and white or silver and volt (green) fluoroelastomer sport band, or space gray with black and cool gray or black and volt (green) fluoroelastomer sport band. It otherwise includes the same second-generation Apple S2 dual-core chipset with built-in GPS, it's swim-proof, and a longer-lasting battery. Starts at $369.
Status: Released September 2016. May be replaced with an Apple Watch Nike+ Series 3 in 2017.
Bottom line: If you want full-on integration with Nike+, you want Apple Watch Nike+.
Apple Watch Hermès
The Apple Watch Hermès comes with a 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display protected by sapphire crystal in a stainless steel case. The 38mm comes with either a double buckle cuff, single tour, or double tour, and the 42mm with a single tour or single tour deployment buckle. (A matching fluoroelastomer band is included as well.) Starts at $1149.
Status: Updated to Series 2 in September 2016. May be replaced with an Apple Watch Hermès Series 3 in September 2016.
Bottom line: If you want an Apple Watch with a Hermès flair, you want Apple Watch Hermès.
Apple Watch Edition
The Apple Watch Edition comes with a 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display protected by sapphire crystal set in a white ceramic case and paired with a white fluoroelastomer band. It otherwise includes the same second-generation Apple S2 dual-core chipset with built-in GPS, it's swim-proof, and a longer-lasting battery. Starts at $1249.
Status: Released September 2016. May be replaced with an Apple Watch Edition Series 3 in 2017.
Bottom line: If you want white ceramic, you want the Apple Watch Edition.
Apple Watch Series 1
The Apple Watch Series 1 Series 1 comes with a 38mm or 42mm OLED Retina display in 7000 series aluminum and Ion-X glass. The aluminum case is available in sliver, space gray, gold, or rose gold, and comes paired with a fluoroelastomer sport band. Powered by an updated Apple S1 dual-core chipset, it starts at $269.
Status: Updated September 2016. Might be discontinued in 2017.
Bottom line: If you don't need GPS or swim-proofing, and don't want stainless steel and sapphire, you can save $100 on the Apple Watch Series 1.
Apple TV
With the Apple TV you can have everything you love about your iPhone or iPad in your living room, meeting room, or class room, and on your big screen TV or projector. You can even beam media and mirror screens from your devices to your Apple TV. It takes the best personal experience in apps and content and makes it the best shared experience.
We recommend: 64 GB Apple TV.
Read the Apple TV buyers guide
Apple TV (2015)
The new Apple TV has a dual-core 64-bit Apple A8 chipset, 32 or 64 GB of storage, HDMI, Ethernet, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, IR, Dolby 7.1, 1080p 60fps, Siri Remote. It runs tvOS and tvOS apps. Starts at $149.
Status: Released October 2015. May be replaced by a 5th generation Apple TV in 2017.
Bottom-line: If you want easy access to iTunes, AirPlay, and App Store in your living room, you want the Apple TV.
iPod
There are two kinds of iPods: the iPod touch, which is the smallest and least expensive way to get onto iOS and the App Store; and the iPods nano and shuffle, which provide traditional media playback capabilities in extremely portable form.
We recommend: An iPhone or iPad, unless you really know you want one of these!
iPod touch
The iPod touch includes a 4-inch Retina display. Apple A8 processor. Shoots 8mp photos and takes 1080p videos. Has Apple A8 chipset, 1GB of RAM, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage options. Available in space gray, silver, gold, pink, blue, and red (Apple Store exclusive). Runs iOS 9, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and runs millions of App Store apps and games. Starts at $199.
Status: Updated July, 2015. A new iPod touch might be released in 2016 or 2017… or 2018.
Bottom-line: If you want the smallest, least expensive way into the App Store, you want the iPod touch.
iPod nano
The iPod nano has a 2.5-inch multitouch display. 16GB of storage. Includes apps for music, podcasts, video, exercise (pedometer, Nike+). Includes Bluetooth and FM radios. Available in space gray, gold, silver, pink, blue, and product red (Apple Store exclusive). Weighs only 31 grams. No networking, no Apple Music, requires USB cable and iTunes. Starts only $149.
Status: Refreshed July 2015. A bit.
Bottom-line: If an iPod touch is just too much, and all you want is a good amount of audio and video to keep you company at the gym, on a run, or on a trip, in the absolute smallest, lightest package available, get the iPod nano.
iPod shuffle
The iPod shuffle has 2GB of storages (enough for hundreds of songs), 15 hours of battery life. Convenient clip, available in space gray, gold, silver, pink, blue, and product red (Apple Store exclusive). Weighs only 12.5 grams. No networking, no Apple Music, requires USB cable and iTunes. Costs only $49.
Status: Refreshed July 2015.
Bottom-line: Whether you're exercising or traveling, if you want just enough music, podcasts, and audiobooks to get you through your workout or work day, and you don't want an Apple Watch, get the iPod shuffle.
Mac
Apple makes a wide range of traditional computers, from laptop to desktop, from entry-level to state-of-the-art. For anyone who wants or needs everything a keyboard and mouse driven machine has to offer, there's a great Mac gift waiting.
We recommend: The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and Touch ID, or the 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display.
Read the complete Mac buyers guide
12-inch MacBook
The new MacBook has a 12-inch Retina display, an Intel Skylake CoreM processor, and a single USB-C port. It comes with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of flash storage, and a Force Touch trackpad. It weighs only 2 lbs. and gets 9 hours of battery life. Starts at $1299.
Status: Updated April 2016. May be updated again spring 2017.
Bottom line: If you want a Mac that's as close to an iPad as possible, you want a 12-inch MacBook.
MacBook Pro 2016
The 2016 MacBook Pro has a 13- or 15-inch Retina displays and Intel Skylake Core i5 or Core i7 processors, and Force Touch trackpads. The entry-level 13-inch model has 2 Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports, the higher-range 13-inch and all 15-inch models have 4 Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports. Those models also have the new Touch Bar input strip and Touch ID fingerprint sensor. With 8GB or 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB or 2TB of flash storage, and 10 hours of battery life, all models include Intel Iris graphics. The 15-inch model also includes AMD Radeon Polaris graphics. Starts at $1499.
Status: Updated September 2016. Will be updated again in 2017.
Bottom-line: If you want the best laptop Apple makes, you want the MacBook Pro 2016.
MacBook Pro 2015
Last year's MacBook Pro has a 13- or 15-inch Retina displays and Intel Skylake on the 13-inch model and Broadwell on the 15-inch model. They include USB 3 and ThunderBolt 2 ports as well as HDMI and SD card, options for 8GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of flash storage. 9 to 10 hours of batter life. Starts at $1299.
Status: Updated in March and May, 2015.
Bottom-line: If you want legacy ports, you want the 2015 MacBook Pro.
MacBook Air
The MacBook Air has a 13-inch screen, Intel Broadwell processor, and 8GB of RAM. It has USB 3 and ThunderBolt ports as well as an SD card slot. Starts at $899.
Status: Updated March 2015 with Intel Broadwell chipsets.
Bottom-line: If you want a less-expensive but still highly portable MacBook, get a MacBook Air.
Mac mini
The Mac mini has a dual-core i5 or i7 processors. USB 3, Ethernet, HDMI, Thunderbolt 2, USB 3 ports. 2GB, 8GB, or 16GB of RAM. Up to 1TB of flash or Fusion drive. Starts at $499.
Status: Updated October 2014. Will hopefully be updated again in 2017.
Bottom-line: If you want a Mac for your server rack or home server closet, to add to an existing PC setup, or to use as a home theater, get a Mac mini.
iMac
The iMac has a 21.5-inch with optional Retina 4K display, quad-core Intel Broadwell i5 or optional i7 processors, integrated Irish Pro graphics, up to 16 GB of memory, 1 TB hard drive with optional Fusion Drive up to 2 TB or flash drive up to 512 GB. 27-inch with standard Retina 5K display, quad-core Intel "Skylake" i5 or optional i7 processors, AMD M380 graphics with options up to M395x, up to 32 GB of memory, 1 TB hard drive with optional Fusion Drive up to 3 TB or flash drive up to 1 GB. Both sizes have Ethernet, UBS 3, and ThunderBolt 2 ports. Starts at $1099.
Status: Updated October 2015. Will be updated in 2017.
Bottom-line: If you want an incredibly powerful Mac with the best built-in displays in the business, get an iMac.
Mac Pro
The Mac Pro offers massively parallel computing with up to 8-core Xeon E5 processor. Up to 64GB RAM. Up to dual AMD FirePro D700 graphics cards. Up to 1TB of flash storage. Up to three 4K displays, six Thunderbolt displays. 4x USB3, 6x Thunderbolt, 2x Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 1.4 UHD ports. 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0. Starts at $2999.
Status: Long past due for an update.
Bottom-line: If you need a Mac with as many cores as possible, you need the Mac Pro.
