Giant 30-inch iMac, iPhone 15, OLED iPads: Apple's roadmap for 2023-2024
Beyond the iPhone 15, Apple's product roadmap between now and 2024 is jam-packed with products including a rumored 30-inch iMac. Here's what to expect in the next year.
WWDC was a busy event for Apple, with it used as the venue to launch its Apple Vision Pro platform. With the announcement of the headset, and a release set for early 2024, the rumor mill's attention now shifts to the rest of Apple's product catalog.
The Apple Vision Pro may be the headline product on the way at the moment, but there's a lot more set to come. As serial leaker Mark Gurman mentioned on Sunday, there's quite a few products that are expected to launch later in the year, as per Apple's usual release schedule, beyond the usual iPhone 15 launches.
iPhone 15
One of the most obvious and important products in Apple's catalog, the iPhone will be getting its annual update in the fall, under the name iPhone 15. As usual, Apple is anticipated to bring out four models, with iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro flanked by Max counterparts.
There have been some claims that an "Ultra" model is on the way.
The bulk of the rumors pertains to display technology, with curved bezels touted across all models, as well as the spread of the Dynamic Island concept from Pro to non-Pro variants.
The display may wait until the iPhone 16 for a new OLED screen, as the iPhone 15 is thought to reuse the same tech as the iPhone 14. ProMotion and the Always-On display will apparently stay a Pro feature for another generation.
There is also the general belief that Apple will finally ditch the Lightning connector in favor of embracing USB-C for its physical port, bringing the iPhone in line with the iPad family.
The Pro models may benefit from a big change, with the use of a periscope camera enabling considerable levels of zoom to occur. This may also result in a slightly larger camera bump to accommodate the size.
Rumors have also pointed to 48-megapixel cameras arriving on all models, as well as some debate over solid state or unified side buttons.
iMac 24-inch and maybe a 30-inch iMac
On the Mac side, there are new iMac models expected to be on the way. Codenamed J433 and J434, they are anticipated to be 24-inch models similar to the existing 24-inch iMac, but with improvements including the use of M3 chips.
24-inch iMac
They are also anticipated to be offered in the same color range, but with adjustments to where some internal components are located, and how the stand itself attaches to the main body.
Gurman also mentioned that "early work" is being carried out on an iMac sporting a display "over 30 inches" in size. Rumors for the New iMac with a bigger screen have surfaced in the past, including the use of a 27-inch display, though some also claimed a size closer to 30 inches or 32 inches thanks to some bezel shrinkage.
Elements such as ProMotion and a mini-LED backlight have also been floated.
MacBook Pro and MacBook Air
Gurman's list of portable products on the way includes an M3-equipped 13-inch MacBook Pro, codenamed J504. While there have been few rumors about the model, Apple did introduce the M2-equipped version in June 2022, making it a candidate for an early M3 launch.
Upgraded variants of the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro are also thought to be in development, and are set to use M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. However, since they were updated earlier in 2023, a launch early in the M3 cycle could be in doubt, with a 2024 launch more plausible.
15-inch MacBook Air
A pair of MacBook Air models are also supposedly in development, codenamed J613 and J615. With the existence of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, it makes sense for there to be two models being worked on.
Following the recent launch of the 15-inch MacBook Air, an early update to the model seems unlikely, but it's already on the way, apparently. On June 11, a rumor claimed the M3 edition is already in development, though without offering when that would take place.
iPad Air and iPad Pro
Sunday's list includes references to a new iPad Air to replace the existing M1-based model. He claims the model is codenamed "J507."
There haven't been many rumors about a new iPad Air just yet, but given the iPad Air 5 arrived in early 2022, an update to the model as part of the fall update season seems quite plausible.
iPad Air 5
Upgraded editions of the iPad Pro, codenamed J717 and J720, will apparently have OLED displays when they arrive in the future. Again, Gurman doesn't mention when they will surface, but a fall update is justifiably expected.
Rumors have pointed towards an OLED upgrade in 2024, rather than in 2023, but there have been hints of a possible revamp of the lineup. This can include an updated design, and even the possibility of using dry etching in the display's construction to keep the iPad as thin as possible.
The switch to OLED may also raise the price of the iPad Pro range, possibly increasing the cost by a few hundred dollars.
Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra
Of the list, Gurman offered timescales only for the Apple Watch Series 9 and an updated Apple Watch Ultra, declaring them to be arriving in the fall alongside the iPhone 15 lineup. They allegedly have the codenames N207, N208, and N210.
Current rumors for the Apple Watch Series 9 involve a change to the S9 chip, which will apparently be based on the A15 Bionic. This will supposedly introduce a considerable performance boost over the S8, which didn't really provide a giant leap from its own predecessor.
Apple Watch Ultra
For the Apple Watch Ultra, rumors largely focus on the display, including the use of a microLED screen that's brighter than the current-gen OLED version.
Repeated rumors have carried on the microLED story, through with timelines for a 2024 or 2025 upgrade. There has also been the claim of a screen increase by as much as 10%.
AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max
Gurman doesn't mention AirPods in his list, but given they are an important accessory, they are worth bringing up. With Apple last updating AirPods in October 2021 and AirPods Pro in September 2022, an upgrade seems to be on the cards.
One of the most obvious indicators that something is on the way occurred in March, with references to AirPods A3048 and AirPods Case A2968 in the beta for iOS 16.4.
AirPods Pro
Rumors and analyst murmurs have discussed the possibility of a cheaper "AirPods Lite" on the way, which could end up providing similar features to the existing AirPods but at a price as low as $99.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also floated the value AirPods idea, as well as an update to the AirPods Max. The headphones, which Apple introduced in December 2020, haven't been given the refresh treatment yet, but Kuo posited that a replacement could arrive in 2024.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Based on the MacBook Air 15:
At this point, I'm holding out for the M3 Max MBP, so I'd like to see it sooner rather than later, but we'll see. The M2 release was January, so November or December isn't completely ridiculous, or unprecedented, but it does seem unlikely. I suspect they'll release them when they're ready, which could be this year, or could be Q1 next year.
I don't know if they'll release new AirPods Pro, or just release them with a USB-C charging case, but I hope they do update all their Lightning-based devices to USB-C. I'd expect Phones to be first, and AirPods (of all flavours) shortly after, if not at the same time. The other peripherals might take a bit longer, but I do think they'll be doing it in the next year or so.
It seems odd that the iMac might skip the M2 and go straight to the M3, but I don't think they'll release the M2 version now, except maybe as a low-cost option alongside the M3 version.
Anyway, a bunch of random predictions based on no inside knowledge, or access to Apple sources. Who do I send it to to get on the punditry bandwagon?
https://www.techradar.com/news/what-is-qned
This means lower blooming, higher contrast. It may allow for a price drop.
My computing needs are very modest, so there's little here for me to really consider. All sound like fine products...they just aren't for me. Truth of it is that Apple products hold up so well, they really don't need constant replacing.
The exception to all this is the iPhone 15. I'll be a launch day customer, as I have in fact worn out my iPhone Xr.
Very up in the air about update of my Apple Watch 4. It takes a licking and keeps on ticking. I still easily get a full day out of a full charge, so maybe wait.