Apple still has a lot of new hardware to release before the end of 2024
Apple's iPhone 16 "Glowtime" event may be over, but there's still time left in the year for more product launches. Here's what Apple is expected to reveal before the end of 2024.
Apple's remaining potential launches for 2024
As usual for Apple's September special event, the company launched the iPhone 16 and a bunch of other products. However, it didn't manage to go through the entire product catalog during its 90-minute presentation.
The event showed off new iPhones, as well as updates to the AirPods and Apple Watch lines and heavy promotion of Apple Intelligence.
With Apple's Mac and iPad ranges left untouched for the event, this gives Apple an opportunity to bring out more products in the last three months of the year.
This is what you can expect in the last quarter of 2024 in terms of Apple product launches.
An October event
While the main focus is always on the September Apple Event, the fall promotional schedule usually involves two separate showcases. The first is in September, and will usually involve an iPhone update as well as some other connected products, as performed on September 9.
The second tends to be an event in October, again quite early in the month. There have been rare November events, including one year when all three months had an event, but October is the most likely option.
As for what will be in the October event, Apple practically fills it up with all product categories it failed to get to during the September event.
Since Apple didn't cover iPads nor Macs in its September launches, they're the prime candidates for the October version.
iPad and iPad mini
The iPad is often updated at the same time as iPhones, though not every time. With its last update in the fall of 2022, there's a strong possibility that an update will happen soon.
There haven't really been any rumors about the iPad, meaning there is little in the way to expect from an upgrade. What you can look forward to is a chip bump, with a view to running Apple Intelligence.
The iPad mini has been left alone for three years by Apple, making it long overdue for an update. For similar reasons to the iPad, you can at least expect a chip upgrade.
Other updates that could happen includes shifting the front camera to operate in a landscape orientation. As for the rear, it's probable that 12MP sensors will still be used, but the iPad mini could plausibly get a 48MP update to match the iPhone 16.
What is not expected is an OLED update for the iPad mini. Even so, Apple is probably going to fix the annoying jelly scrolling issue that the sixth-gen model suffered from.
Since Apple updated the iPad Air and iPad Pro earlier in 2024, a second update in the same year is very doubtful.
Mac mini
Of the rumored inbound Macs, the Mac mini is one of the top choices Apple could make. Last updated in January 2023, it has previously been among the first Macs to get new Apple Silicon updates.
Changes to the Mac mini's design are expected this time.
The rumor mill agrees that it is due soon, and possibly in a new smaller form factor. This would be a big change from its existing aluminum puck design and into sleeker territory.
An M4 Mac mini may not be the only model offered by Apple. Based on earlier iterations, an M4 Pro with a similar appearance could also be on the way.
iMac
While the 24-inch iMac was updated in November 2023 to use M3, there is the general belief that it could still get an update to M4. It's not quite a year into its M3 life, but it's close enough to be a possibility.
The 24-inch iMac could be joined by a bigger model.
A chip update may not be the only iMac change in the works. The rumor mill has repeatedly discussed the possibility of a larger iMac, potentially using a 32-inch display, as an alternate size option.
MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro is frequently updated to the latest chips, and the M4 should be no exception. After being updated to M3 in the fall of 2023, an M4 update in the fall of 2024 seems equally likely.
The MacBook Pro has yet to move to M4.
Though rumors have raised the prospect of an M4 update, they have also lacked any details of changes that could also be made. If the quiet rumors are any indication, this could just be a spec-bump update for the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro.
The unlikely options
While there are some strong candidates for an update, there are also quite a few holes in the iPad and Mac lineups that are not likely to happen. Some are due to release timing, and some due to rumors and forecasts of a later update.
The iPad Pro was updated to M4 earlier in 2024, meaning a fall update is unlikely unless Apple secretly wanted to produce iPads with an M4 Pro or M4 Max. Likewise, the iPad Air was shifted to M2 at the same time.
The rumor mill believes the MacBook Air won't get an update until the spring of 2025 at the earliest. Meanwhile the Mac Studio and Mac Pro are anticipated to be upgraded in late 2025 instead.
It's still entirely possible, albeit remotely, that Apple could introduce a New MacBook Air, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro in October, or before the end of 2024. The better bet is that it won't, and the 2025 launches for the Pro-grade desktops are more probable.
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Comments
A set of solar panels, a battery and a switch box suitable for an apartment would be an interesting product. An EV moped with interchangeable batteries would have a big market, just not in the USA. Just a big horizon of products that can be done.
But yes, I think it is time to replace the 2013 iMac. Mac mini with M4 and 32 GB of RAM. Have to wait for stackable accessories if it has a new form factor. Hopefully the footprint isn't smaller than a 3.5" hard drive.
They were caught napping on GenAI and it feels like many products have been compliance refreshed rather than massively updated. Apple are exceptional at what they do and thus my conclusion is that they have mind-blowing stuff cooking in the kitchen that are not quite finished as they had to do some internal 180 degree turns lately.
M3 -> M4 feels like poorly planned transition as a result of AI pivot.
All in all it is a good thing. Apple have realigned. Also they have likely devoted substantial energy on meaningful innovation in health tech like the hearing aid and hearing test. I for one highly appreciate these innovations. They cannot be easy to pull off and likely have pulled resources from other areas.
I wish AirPods Max would have been a block buster update. It was a compliance update to ensure continuing sales in the EU. Here is waiting for the H3 chip and to see what their AI wizards can cook up for Audio.
I am in the market for a new Apple TV, updated HomePods and HomePod minis (have 1 and 2 and many minis), M4+ iMac and a either a new MacBook Pro or I may just go for a Mac Studio. Oh and also a properly updated Apple Watch Ultra please. Oh and iPads.
I look forward to making all devices in the family be Apple Intelligence ready. Let's do it.
An iMac with a larger screen, 27" would do just fine.
A smaller iPhone, like the 13 or 12 mini with a Touch ID button on the side as well as Face ID. And an option to turn off the computational photography.
A new AirPort line up - including a Time Capsule.
A new ergonomic mouse bringing back a roller ball on top (but with new technology preventing dust interfering with it) or maybe a wheel.
Yeah, some of their older stuff in new and refined versions.
They already have 3 stationary desktop computers. If you include Mac tower then it will be 4.
Laptop side Air has 2 models. Pro has 2 as well base on screen size. Apple launch bigger screen Air was they know more people order laptop then desktop.
Some people wanted iPhone mini but sales shows not that many people want it. Same goes to stationary desktop. You can take your laptop, tablet to go anywhere doing stuff with it but desktop stay at home. Why Apple want to increase desktop sku?
New Mini might be still able to include power internally like Mac Studio. Since Mac mini has no internal component to upgrade by user, they can seal that up.
So Mac mini may be smaller footprint but it will be taller. Stack power board and main board like Studio. And then instead dual fan, mini will have single fan.
But mostly my MacBook Pro which is long in the tooth.
I can’t even load the new software update (17.x) on my iPhone 11!