Each year, Apple ushers in a series of events known for unveiling new technological advancements, setting the pace for the tech industry. These events typically span across the year with specific focuses: a spring event around March or April for various product announcements, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June for software updates and occasionally hardware, a September event primarily for new iPhone and Apple Watch releases, and sometimes, an October event that may spotlight Macs and iPads.
In February, Apple introduced the Vision Pro, marking its first product announcement of 2024. Remarkably, the Vision Pro did not have a launch event as it was already previewed at WWDC in June of the previous year. However, Apple marketed the new product through a slew of product videos and a press briefing. The Vision Pro, starting at $3,500, is currently only available in the United States. The operating system powering Vision Pro, visionOS, was also launched in February.
In a surprising turn of events, late February reports debunked earlier rumors about a 2024 spring event for unveiling new models of MacBook Air and iPad Pro. Instead, on March 4, Apple announced the release of new 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch MacBook Air models. These models saw few physical changes from their predecessors but boasted the new 3-nanometer M3 chip, promising approximately 20% faster performance than the M2 chip, with improvements in graphics capabilities, including hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
Looking forward, May is expected to bring new iterations of the iPad Pro and a new set of iPad Air models. Notably, the iPad Pro models are anticipated to feature a new OLED display panel enhancing HDR, colors, and power efficiency. The iPad Air lineup is set to expand with two different size models, distinguishing itself from the more premium iPad Pro by foregoing ProMotion or OLED display technologies.
WWDC in June is set to provide a first look at various upcoming software updates including iOS 18, visionOS 2, and others, with official releases scheduled for September. iOS 18 promises a significant focus on artificial intelligence, enhancing functionality across a suite of apps.
The September event is expected to showcase the new flagship iPhone models alongside new Apple Watch iterations. The iPhone 16 models are anticipated to introduce innovative features such as the Action and Capture buttons and A18 chip, while maintaining a similar look to their predecessors. The Apple Watch Series 10, or Apple Watch X, is rumored to possibly feature a major redesign and new health monitoring capabilities.
Towards the end of 2024 or early 2025, Apple plans to refresh its Mac lineup with M4 chips, beginning with the 24-inch iMac, MacBook Pro lineup, and Mac mini. Mid-2025 might see updates to the MacBook Air models and the Mac Studio, likely incorporating the M4 series chips as well.
Furthermore, there are several products with unspecified release dates, including a new Apple TV 4K rumored for 2024, updates to the iPad mini and the low-cost iPad, and a potential new HomePod with a display.
Looking further ahead, rumors hint at a range of innovative products like a larger iMac possibly replacing the discontinued 27-inch model, a foldable iPhone, and a foldable Mac or iPad, indicating Apple’s continued exploration of new form factors and technologies.
As Apple marches forward, these planned product refreshes and announcements for 2024 and beyond demonstrate the tech giant’s relentless pursuit of innovation, maintaining its influential status in the tech industry.
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