The precise timing needed for the game’s combat and movement can be frustrating if you’re not used to arcade games, but it’s good to see Prince Of Persia back on the Mac, and this latest chapter is one of the best arcade games currently available for the Mac.
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It’s been a long time since any of the Prince Of Persia games was available on the Mac, and The Lost Crown episode was itself first released for Windows PCs at the start of 2024. However, it’s just appeared on the Mac App Store – with very little fanfare – and is rapidly working its way up Apple’s games chart.
For more Mac games recommended by us read: Best Games for Mac.
The Lost Crown turns out to be a real blast from the past too, as it’s a side-scrolling ‘metroidvania’ – a game that combines combat and platform-jumping elements from the Metroid and Castlevania arcade games (which were never officially available on the Mac). You don’t need any knowledge of the previous games, though, as The Lost Crown has its own story, in which you play a young warrior called Sargon, who is a member of a group that modestly call themselves The Immortals.
The game starts simply enough, with the kingdom of Persia under attack from an enemy army, and Prince Ghassan taken captive and imprisoned on the magical Mount Qaf. Sargon and chums head off to rescue the Prince, but soon discover that Mount Qaf is full of mystical enemies, puzzles and obstacles that have to be overcome.
The game uses detailed and colourful graphics that seem to be in 3D – at least for the main characters – but is presented like an old-school 2D platform game where you mostly run left or right across the screen and use the Space bar to jump over obstacles. The game looks great, though, with detailed backgrounds that create a real sense of atmosphere, whether you’re charging along corridors in the royal palace or hacking and slashing your way through a forest.
Foundry
The only bad news is that the game doesn’t run on Intel Macs, and requires an M1 processor or later, and macOS 12.0 (Monterey) or later. However, the 2D presentation means that it doesn’t need a powerful Mac, and we had no trouble running it with high graphics settings at 4K resolution on a MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro chip.
Combat is fairly straightforward during the early stages of the game, with basic and heavy attacks assigned to your mouse buttons, as well as the ability to dodge and parry incoming attacks. The opening section acts as a tutorial that introduces the main moves, but the game also provides five difficulty levels so that newcomers can ease themselves into the action, along with more challenging perma-death and speed-run modes for more experienced players. Combat is fast and fluid, but will probably be easier with a game controller, as I found that parrying attacks using keyboard and mouse controls required very precise timing, and it took me quite a few attempts to slice and dice my way past the first Boss battle at the start of the game.
Foundry
There aren’t many games on the Mac that also focus on parkour movement like Prince Of Persia, where you have to run, jump and climb with great precision in order to get past various obstacles. This can be tricky too, as you need to hit the Space bar for a quick jump, or press-and-hold to jump higher, and many obstacles require you to rapidly jump left and right in quick succession in order to reach areas that are otherwise out of reach. That’s a bit tricky on a keyboard, so again it might be easier playing with a controller (there is an assist option that can help you out with some of these obstacles, but much of the fun lies in learning to master your combat and movement abilities).
As you progress further into the game, you’ll learn to master a magical energy called Athra that gives you more powerful attacks, and you can also find or buy magical amulets that provide additional powers too. And, of course, the traditional calling card of the Prince Of Persia games is the use of ‘time powers’ that allow you to manipulate time in order to escape death or outwit your enemies.
The need for really precise timing during combat and movement may be frustrating for newcomers, but if you’re a fan of arcade games then The Lost Crown is a great way to re-live your misspent youth. It’s a little annoying, though, that the Mac version currently seems to be exclusive to the Mac App Store, which means that people who already own the PC version on Steam or Epic don’t get access to the Mac version as well (and Steam and Epic also seem to have additional DLC packs that aren’t currently available on the App Store too).
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It’s the last chance to get your hands on a new M4 MacBook Pro this year, and it’s the best time to do it because it’s down $200, for a total price of $1,399 over at Amazon, matching its best price so far. This is the powerful M4 model we’re talking about with 16GB of RAM, so it’s truly a geat deal.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro went from “meh” to marvelous, we wrote in our 4.5-star review. The laptop got a near-perfect score from us, with our main praise being the bump to 16GB of unified memory (over 8GB) and the introduction of the Space Black option, which was unavailable on this model last year.
The laptop runs on the blazing-fast M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU for incredible speed in tackling demanding tasks. You’ll also get fantastic battery life, with our tests clocking the battery at about 20 hours of use, good for a whole day’s work and then some. And of course, you’re getting a fantastic 14.2-inch display with ProMotion and 1,600 nits peak brightness.
Like the rest of the Apple silicon machines, this laptop is also ready to run Apple Intelligence, allowing you to perform work more efficiently with features such as Writing Tools and the upcoming next-gen Siri.
So you’re getting it all int he MacBook Pro: a gorgeous display, superb battery life, and rocket-level speeds, all for all for an incredible $200 off.
Get the M4 MacBook Pro for its best price everApple updated its entry-level iPhone in March 2022, adding a few nips and tucks here and there along with a quiet price increase. It kept the “iPhone 8” design with its Home button and small form factor that appeals to some, but the aging design and minimal upgrades meant the new iPhone SE was coolly received by the masses.
The iPhone SE is in desperate need of a big upgrade, and it looks like it will get one in the spring of 2025.
Apple’s iPhone SE doesn’t follow the same predictable annual release schedule as the standard iPhone line, and the intervals between updates can be harder to predict, but they seem to always be released in the spring, in March or April. Here’s when the three models released so far made their debut:
Dominik Tomaszewski
Pricing has steadily increased across the three existing generations, no doubt influenced by the global cost of components and distribution. While the iPhone SE (3rd generation) was released around the same price as the model it replaced, Apple added a chunk onto the cost, making the current model somewhat less desirable than previous iterations, especially when you factor in the measly amount of storage that comes with the baseline model.
At launch the prices were even higher in the U.K. but, in September 2023, after adjusting for inflation, Apple dropped the price back to match the U.S. price. Apple did the same thing for prices in Euros in September 2024.
Here’s how they line up:
iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022):
iPhone SE (2nd gen, 2020):
iPhone SE (1st gen, 2016):
However, the iPhone SE needs to be inexpensive relative to other iPhones, and we’d be surprised to see the price increase too much with the next generation, even with several rumored upgrades. The latest rumors claim the 4th-gen iPhone SE could start at $499, still far less expensive than any other new iPhone Apple sells.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims the next model is intended to help Apple compete with low-end Android phones in China, so a low price would be necessary to achieve this plan.
Will the iPhone SE get a long-overdue design revamp? Rumors suggest that we could see a move away from the iPhone 8 chassis to something more like modern iPhones, with Face ID and a full-screen display.
That could be good or bad news, depending on your viewpoint. Some people prefer the Home button as a means to interact with their iPhone, for some older people and those who are less dexterous it is helpful to have a physical button.
No Home button is likely to mean a notch—and that’s a notch, rather than the Dynamic Island. In terms of overall appearance, the iPhone SE would likely resemble the iPhone 14.
A rumor in July 2024 suggested Apple will change course with the iPhone SE 4 and instead use the same body as the iPhone 16, making it a true budget version of the latest iPhone lineup.
If Apple chooses to use the chassis of the iPhone 16 rather than the iPhone 14 that could allow the best alignment of two camera lenses for talking videos for the Vision Pro. But that would mean that the iPhone SE would have two cameras on the back, rather than just one, as it does currently. It would also make it hard to differentiate between models, pushing some users who might otherwise consider the iPhone 16 to buy the iPhone SE 4 at a lower price.
The iPhones this year are all about Apple Intelligence AI features, which first arrived with iOS 18.1 in the fall and will continue to get new features in iOS 18 updates. One of the biggest new features, a massive expansion of Siri capabilities, is due for release in iOS 18.4 around the same time the iPhone SE 4 would be released.
Processor & RAM:To run Apple Intelligence an iPhone requires an A17 Pro or A18 chip and 8GB of RAM. There is some expectation that the iPhone SE 4 could meet these requirements. It is common for the iPhone SE to have the same processor as the latest non-Pro iPhone but skimp on other features to differentiate itself, so we expect the iPhone SE 4 to have the A18 processor.
Other than the processor and RAM requirements, we may see some other internal changes including the following:
Modem: The iPhone SE 4 might be the first iPhone to feature Apple’s own 5G modems (codenamed Sinope). It will offers sub-6 support but no mmWave, and lower performance than Qualcomm’s best 5G modems but better power efficiency.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Apple is also about to switch over to its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, codenamed Proxima. The rumors say this chip will actually appear first in a refreshed HomePod mini and Apple TV, but there’s a chance it could be used in the iPhone SE 4.
Storage:With the iPhone 13 range moving to a baseline of 128GB (and the 14-series handsets following suit), it’s hoped that the new iPhone SE might do likewise, as 64GB isn’t enough for most users anymore, especially since system files take up more than 10GB (and you can add a multi-gigabyte Apple Intelligence model to that).
There are no good rumors one way or the other about the minimum storage for the iPhone SE 4, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it was 64GB.
USB-C:We expect the iPhone SE 4 to feature a USB-C port for charging, as all new iPhones do, and IP68 water resistance. The current SE is one of the last remaining Apple devices to still have a Lightning port.
Camera(s): One of the defining features of the iPhone SE is a single camera on the back. This is probably not going to change, although if the new iPhone SE does adopt the chassis of an iPhone 14 or 16 it is possible. The latest rumors suggest a single 48 megapixel camera, which would at least give the iPhone SE 4 a good 2x “optical zoom” mode using the center 12MP of the sensor, as the iPhone 16 does.
Action Button: An alleged leak of an iPhone SE 4 case shows a cutout for the mute switch rather than an Action Button, and of course there will be no Camera Control button—if the iPhone SE 4 had these features there would be little reason for anyone to buy an iPhone 16!
The most recent rumors say the new iPhone SE will have Face ID with a notch (not dynamic island), similar to an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14. That means Touch ID, which has been a staple of the SE line since its debut, will go away.
The iPhone 16 range and the iPhone SE 3 are the current-generation models available from Apple. In addition to this SE 4 model we’re also expecting iPhone 17 to launch in 2025. Below you can find links below to our reviews of all iPhone models, including the latest generation. Learn more about all the new Apple products coming this year and when is the next Apple event. You might also want to check out our advice on when is the best time to buy a new iPhone, our iPhone buying guide, and our comparison of every iPhone that is available to buy today.
Kids love iPads. The simplicity of tapping on the screen when they want things to happen means they can learn to use them in seconds, but there’s plenty that Apple’s tablets can do. Whether it’s educational games, entertainment apps, using them to create art with an Apple Pencil or just something to stop them getting bored on car journeys, iPads can be a godsend.
Choosing the right one can feel a bit daunting. After all, don’t they all do the same things? What’s the difference between the normal iPad and the iPad Air? Well, we’re here to simplify things so you can be sure you’re buying the right one.
You can also read our best iPhone and iPad apps for kids guide to get them off to a good start. Plus, we have a roundup of the best iPhones for kids if you want to immerse them fully in the Apple world as they grow up.
There’s been lots of research published about how much screen time our kids should be allowed. Some parents might argue that kids shouldn’t be exposed to screens at such a young age, but frankly, in a world where everything is dominated by technology we think that we owe it to our kids to make sure they are comfortable in that environment, hence the introduction of an iPad is good for their education.
That said, just sticking them in front of an iPad rather than interacting with them probably isn’t great: Disney+ shouldn’t really be babysitting your kids for hours on end, but if it allows you a few minutes of peace to make dinner then fair enough.
With that out of the way, there are many reasons why you should be confident about getting an iPad for your kids to use. There are, after all, many other tablets on the market, most of which are cheaper than the iPad. So, if you are looking for some reassurance on is whether the iPad is the best option for your child, here are a few compelling reasons:
If you have older children, then take a look at our guide to the best iPads for students.
At the time of writing, Apple offers four categories of iPad, which are as follows.
In all honesty, we wouldn’t recommend the iPad Pros for children, as you’d just be paying quite sizeable amounts for performance and compatibility features that they just won’t need. The standard iPad and iPad mini range offer plenty of scope and power for younger users, and the iPad Air will satisfy the more demanding teen. Our advice is to stick with those and ignore the Pros. When it comes to older students though, it’s a potentially different argument, but the good news is you can put that off for a few years and save up for the more expensive iPad in the meantime.
Speaking of savings, check out our round-up of the best iPad deals you can get on the whole range of iPads here: The best iPad deals.
This depends on how you want to use the iPad. For long trips, you might want to download lots of movies, TV shows, or games to entertain the kids in the car or on the plane. In that case, more storage is better. Otherwise, any apps you purchase can always be deleted and then downloaded again, plus public Wi-Fi can often be available as an easy solution for the little ones streaming a few episodes of their favorite shows.
Our advice would be to get more than 64GB storage if you can. The iPad mini (A17 Pro) that launched in October 2024 starts at 128GB storage now, rather than 64GB as it did before, and as the standard iPad still does. If you compare the standard iPad with 64GB for $349/£329 to the 128GB iPad mini which costs $499/£499, it’s well worth spending $150/£150 more to get the extra storage and everything else the mini offers. And if you want even more storage, the iPad mini with 256GB costs $599/£599 compared to $499/£479 for the 256GB iPad.
If you are buying a refurbished or used iPad, then we’d strongly advise against a 32GB or lower, it simply isn’t enough storage and you will regret it.
For more advice regarding buying a used or refurbished iPad read: Why a refurbished iPad could be the best tablet for you.
Probably not. It adds $150/£150 to the price of the iPad and we’d suggest that money was better spent on upgrading the storage, or getting a better model. If you want to add cellular capabilities to your kids’ iPad, we recommend that when you are outside the house you hotspot from your own iPhone rather than spend money on a contract for your child. That said, most apps will work offline and you can download movies to the device when heading on a long trip.
Here’s our advice on which iPad to choose when buying for a child.
Pros
Cons
While the iPad mini might be the smallest member of the family, don’t let that fool you, there’s plenty of power and features packed into the diminutive frame. The only negative is the price, which is a little higher than the bigger iPad, so it’s not quite as much of a bargain for kids.
The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is gorgeous. Like all the modern iPads, there is no Home button – Apple ditched that a generation ago and instead put a Touch ID sensor in the Power button on the side.
Under the hood, there’s an A17 Pro driving things, this processor is the lowest spec required to run Apple Intelligence features. If you are choosing between the iPad mini and cheaper iPad and are curious about Apple Intelligence, only the iPad mini, iPad Air and Pro will support it).
Even if Apple Intelligence doesn’t peek your interest, the A17 Pro chip means there is no lack of power in this smaller iPad, ensuring the latest games and apps will absolutely fly on this device. It also has support for the Apple Pencil (USB C) or the Apple Pencil Pro, meaning your child can use if for doodling, creating art or note-taking at school when they get a bit older.
The compact dimensions of 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm at 297g make it small and lightweight, which can be easier for little ones to hold. There are also four different colors to choose from, including soft shades of Purple and Blue. Oh, and there are 5G versions if you want to add a fast data connection for streaming and messaging on the go.
The iPad mini is available in these configurations:
Check our guide to the best iPad mini deals to see if you can get one for a lower price.
Pros
Cons
We said in the introduction that the iPad Air is probably overkill for kids, but that does depend a bit on the age of the child. For some there will be a lot of appear in the 11-inch iPad Air (M2), with its 11-inch display, modern design, low weight (462g), great cameras, and hugely powerful processor, and as we recommend in our round up of the Best iPads for Students – it is a great choice for students.
Unfortunately, it’s a bit on the pricey side, starting at $599/£599 (higher education students get a discount but not school aged children). That’s still only $100/£100 more than the iPad mini though, and it has a lot more to offer. Not least the M2 chip than makes it the perfect combination of power, storage and features.
The M2 processor is the same chip that powered the previous generation of iPad Pro models, not to mention several Macs. If your kid enjoys gaming on their iPad then the iPad Air will likely meet their needs (for anyone else then there’s always the iPad Pro, which has an M4 and the addition of ProMotion for faster screen refreshes, but that really is overkill for kids!)
The camera is a 12MP Wide lens (also like on the iPad Pro) and the front-facing camera is a 12MP Ultra-Wide that is positioned on the longer side of the chassis to allow landscape views during FaceTime calls.
There are some nice colors to choose from including pale Purple and Blue shades (that are similar to those on the iPad mini). There’s also the standard Starlight and Space Grey.
You can use the Apple Pencil Pro ($129/£129) and Apple Pencil USB-C ($79/£79) with the iPad Air. See: Apple Pencils compared: Which Apple Pencil works with your iPad?
The iPad Air (M2) is available in these configurations:
If they want a larger display, there is also the 13-inch iPad Air (M2) that comes with all the same specs and features. It starts at $799/£799.
Read iPad Air (M2) vs iPad Pro (M4) to find out how the iPad Air compares to the iPad Pro.
Read our roundup of the best iPad Air deals.
Pros
Cons
In 2022, Apple gave its standard iPad a makeover when it launched this 10th-generation model, replacing the classic Home button design with the mini/Air approach of gesture-based controls. There is still Touch ID available, but now you’ll find the sensor embedded in the power button on the top edge. This means there’s more space for the display, which increases from the 10.2-inch panel in the 9th generation iPad to 10.9-inch in this 10th generation model.
As with the previous standard iPad models, the display isn’t laminated, meaning there is a slight air gap between the glass and the display beneath. This is a minor thing and probably won’t even be something you notice, unless you use an Apple Pencil often, in which case you’ll probably experience a slight lag as you write. It’s all good though, and after no time at all, you’ll be able to incorporate that into your technique and scribble away with the best of them. This model supports the 1st generation Apple Pencil or the Apple Pencil (USB C).
Apple fits the 10th-gen iPad with an A14 Bionic processor, which is the same tech that powered the iPhone 12 range (including the Pros). That processor is a little on the old side now, and doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, of which Apple is making a big deal right now. Apple Intelligence has some features that might appeal to students, so it could be a benefit, then again it might lead your child to cheat on their homework…
That said, the A14 chip will still provide adequate performance for playing basic games, streaming content, and running educational apps. Another notable feature is the inclusion of a USB-C port rather than Lightning. This opens up a world of peripherals that you can use with the iPad, and you can even connect it to a compatible monitor if your child needs a desktop-style experience.
Of course, you can always pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to create the perfect, compact laptop for homework and any creative endeavors your child wants to try. The iPad comes in four bright, bold colors (Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Silver), so your child can pick one that reflects their personality or just the one with the hues they like the most.
One of the best features of the 10th generation iPad is its low price. You can pick them up for the following prices:
We recommend opting for the 256GB storage variant, as 64GB can fill up pretty quickly if you’re downloading games, large apps, or TV/movie content. At this point you might be better served by the iPad mini (A17 Pro) 128GB at $499/£499 though, which is why this iPad isn’t our top choice right now, but that may change when Apple gets around to updating it in 2025. Read: New iPad 11th generation rumours.
Check our guide to the best iPad 10th-gen deals to see if you can get one for a lower price.
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