Top Christmas gifts for Apple fans: the perfect combination for iPhone, iPad and Mac
Guides to Christmas gifts
We bring you a tech-focused Christmas gift guide every day right through to the big day itself, to help fuel your current buying inspiration.
Not sure what to buy when it comes to the perfect Christmas gifts for your friends and family this year? At TechRadar, we have the know-how to help round out your holiday gift list.
Is anyone on your list an Apple fan? Then you’ve come to the right place: we’ve rounded up the best Christmas gifts for those who want nothing more than a sleek, sophisticated Cupertino-designed product under their tree.
Apple products aren’t necessarily known for their low price, so we’ve put together a selection of options that range from affordable stocking fillers like adapters to higher-end offerings like the new Apple Watch 6 and HomePod Mini.
If your loved ones already own an iPad, iPhone, or Mac, we’ve listed the best cases to make sure their beloved devices last. And if the little ones get bored of their new toys on Christmas Day, we have solutions for that too. We have something for every kind of Apple fan, so let’s get started.
iPhone and iPad cases
iPhones and iPads are expensive tech, so it’s always worth protecting, and cases are an inexpensive yet highly effective gift – is there anything better than gifting a broken screen?
We’ve rounded up the best cases for a range of iPhones and iPads, from the latest iPhone 12 and Mini models to older handsets and slates that are still out there, so click the link in the box that’s relevant to you.
In the roundups of our iPhone cases, you’ll find a variety of styles, shapes, and price points to suit all needs – whether you’re looking for simple, stylish protection or robust, full-action protection.
At just $ 99 (£ 99 / AUS $ 149), much cheaper than the $ 349 (£ 319 / AUS $ 499) regular Apple HomePod, the Cupertino company puts its more compact smart speaker right up against its big rival Amazon Echo (2020), and those heavily immersed in the Apple ecosystem will definitely want to pick up one (or maybe more).
While Siri still isn’t exactly the best AI companion, the HomePod Mini more than makes up for that with excellent sound and useful features. Powered by Apple’s new S5 chip, the speaker can become a stereo pair with a second mini, creating immersive 360-degree audio along with various smart home and connectivity features.
Beasts of Balance combines evolution with Jenga skills in a battle for mutation dominance.
Easy to learn but devilishly hard to master, this isn’t just a game for the kids. You can bring the plastic model animals to life through the companion app for iPhone and iPad, which also tracks the different creatures you create.
We had a blast going head-to-head to see who could make the most beasts, and it’s something that’s going to be a treat when all the turkey is gone.
If the person you’re hunting for is lucky enough to already own the new iPad Air 4 (2020), iPad Pro 11 or iPad Pro 12.9, then the most recent Apple Pencil is a great gift.
It has a squarer design, a magnetic body that allows it to stick to the side of slate, wireless charging and gesture control, making it more practical and easy to use.
As for gestures, you can easily switch tools by tapping the side of the new pencil. Plus, you can customize your own gestures, which should come in handy if you’re using non-Apple drawing apps.
Apple’s recent MacBook series has many advantages, including a premium design, excellent displays, and a lot of power, but there is one area where they are not that popular: ports.
If you know someone who has a newer MacBook, he or she could benefit from an adapter – an easy way to increase the usability of their laptop.
This USB-C digital AV multiport adapter plugs into one of the MacBook’s USB-C ports and turns three into one. With this adapter you get HDMI, standard USB and a USB-C trio, with which you can connect a variety of peripherals.
You can also connect this adapter to an iPad to mirror the screen on an external display, making this a very versatile device.
LifePrint can print photos and videos from your iPhone’s Live Photos gallery, Snapchat, Vine, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, GoPro videos and more.
Although the prints themselves are still images, you can launch the Lifeprint app on your iPhone or iPad and move it over an image to play an embedded video.
The images also have a sticky back, so you can stick the photos just about anywhere.
Their looks may be controversial, but there’s no denying that Apple’s AirPods Pro are amazingly easy to pair, use, and pack in their charging case.
These truly wireless earbuds may be small, but they pack a decent audio punch, with excellent sound quality delivered by a now iconic Apple design.
New to the Pro model of AirPods is noise cancellation technology that does a great job of blocking out the outside world – but there’s a handy transparency feature that lets in sounds around you – perfect if you need to listen to traffic or someone starts talking to you.
Another bonus is battery life, with the AirPods Pro having five hours of playtime on a single charge – and putting them in their case and using the internal battery to recharge so you stay away from a power outlet for longer.
Wearables are hot property these days and the Apple Watch is the perfect companion for any iPhone owner.
While Apple’s latest wearable – the Apple Watch 6 – is on the pricey end of the spectrum, the Apple Watch SE is a cheaper alternative, with more affordable options with many of the same features.
There’s a lot to love about these watches, from the crisp, crisp OLED display and smart fitness features to the easy-to-change straps and the many apps available.