2024 goes to start out off robust with the launch of the Imaginative and prescient Professional, Apple’s first main new product because the 2015 Apple Watch, and new iPads, Macs, AirPods, and iPhones are set to observe.
There are some thrilling merchandise within the works, together with a bigger model of the iPad Air, the primary OLED iPad Professional, up to date iPhones, an Apple Watch with new well being options, and extra. On this information, we have outlined every part that we all know concerning the new merchandise which might be coming from Apple in 2024, based mostly on present rumors.
Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional (February 2024)
Apple introduced the Imaginative and prescient Professional headset at WWDC in June 2023, nevertheless it’s lastly nearly able to launch. Apple launched the Imaginative and prescient Professional early to offer builders time to create apps for the system, and since then, Apple has been engaged on finalizing the {hardware} and the visionOS working system. The latest rumors have steered Apple will debut the Imaginative and prescient Professional in February.
At launch, the Imaginative and prescient Professional is just going to be out there in the US, and it feels like Apple might require prospects to buy in retailer or choose up on-line orders in a retailer to ensure that Apple workers to offer the best Mild Seal and knitted headband for a great match, plus Zeiss prescription lens inserts for many who want them.
The headset is much like different digital actuality headsets just like the Oculus, although it’s constructed from glass and aluminum for a premium really feel. Some early testers have stated that the headset will be heavy on the pinnacle, however Apple might introduce an additional strap to mitigate a number of the weight. The Imaginative and prescient Professional is utilizing two 4K micro-OLED shows, and the expertise is each extra superior and costlier than the shows utilized by Apple’s rivals.
Apple shouldn’t be anticipating to promote many Imaginative and prescient Professional headsets, and rumors recommend it will manufacture round 400,000 models. At a $3,500 value level, it is not too shocking that curiosity could also be restricted.
The Imaginative and prescient Professional headset is a combined actuality system that transitions between digital and augmented actuality utilizing a Digital Crown on the aspect. Content material will be displayed in a full digital setting, or in the actual world round you utilizing the augmented actuality capabilities.
There are greater than a dozen cameras within the Imaginative and prescient Professional headset, and it is managed utilizing refined hand gestures and eye actions. Audio Straps present spatial audio, and there is a considerably bizarre exterior show that tasks a picture of your eyes so folks can inform whether or not you are utilizing the headset in VR or AR mode.
Whereas the headset is not significantly reasonably priced for most individuals, it is an thrilling launch as a result of it is utilizing cutting-edge expertise and it’s a wholly new system that is going to evolve and grow to be sleeker and extra reasonably priced over the following decade. The Imaginative and prescient Professional has been likened to the Apple Watch, which was additionally costly and clunky when it launched, however Apple made updates at a fast tempo and by the third era, it was a lot improved.
Way more details about the Imaginative and prescient Professional will be present in our Imaginative and prescient Professional roundup, and we even have particulars on visionOS in that roundup.
OLED iPad Professional (March 2024)
Apple did not replace the iPad lineup in 2023, however 2024 would be the yr of the iPad. The iPad Professional fashions are set to get upgraded OLED shows for the primary time, so iPad Professional screens will probably be as spectacular as iPhone screens.
This would be the first time that Apple has used OLED for such a big show, and OLED expertise will carry deeper blacks, sooner refresh charges, higher distinction, and improved effectivity for much less battery drain.
OLED shows are thinner, so Apple could also be planning to chop down on the thickness of the iPad Professional. A design replace is predicted to accompany the OLED transition, and the brand new iPads will are available 11.1-inch and 13-inch sizes, up from the present 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes. The scale improve might come from a change in bezel width, so bodily measurement might stay roughly the identical.
The iPad Professional fashions will undertake the sooner M3 chip that was first launched within the MacBook Professional and iMac. Constructed on a 3-nanometer course of, the M3 affords as much as 21 p.c sooner CPU speeds in comparison with the M2, and 15 p.c sooner GPU speeds. The GPU can be utilizing a brand new structure that optimizes reminiscence allocation and utilization for improved efficiency and effectivity, plus it contains hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading.
GPU enhancements will end in higher gaming graphics and capabilities, plus the iPad Professional will probably be extra environment friendly at duties like video modifying.
Different doable options embody as much as 4TB of storage, MagSafe charging capabilities, and the next price ticket because of the OLED show expertise. Extra on what we predict from the iPad Professional will be present in our devoted OLED iPad Professional information.
Two iPad Air Fashions (March 2024)
To supply customers extra alternative at quite a lot of value factors, Apple is increasing the iPad Air lineup in 2024. For the primary time, there will probably be two iPad Air fashions, identical to there are two iPad Professional fashions.
Sizes will probably be much like the iPad Professional, coming in at 10.9 inches and 12.9 inches. The iPad Air fashions will not have OLED shows, ProMotion, or different high-end iPad options, however they are going to be cheaper than the iPad Professional fashions.
Since Apple up to date the design of the iPad Air in 2021, we’re not anticipating a significant overhaul to the look of the system, nevertheless it’s doable there will probably be some refinements to accommodate the brand new display screen measurement.
iOS 18 (June 2024)
Apple introduces new software program updates on an annual foundation at its Worldwide Builders Convention, and this yr, we’re anticipating iOS 18. iOS 18 needs to be one of the crucial fascinating updates we have had in years as a result of rumors to date recommend that we’ll see Apple entering into generative AI in a giant approach.
AI and machine studying will probably be utilized in a number of methods in iOS 18, with a spread of recent AI integrations in apps. In Apple Music, for instance, we would see auto-generated playlists, and in apps like Pages and Keynote, we may even see AI-assisted writing and slide deck creation.
Siri is predicted to get options powered by giant language fashions (LLMs), that are the driving power behind chatbots like chatGPT. Siri will embody deeper integration with the Shortcuts app for automating complicated duties, and there will probably be improved interactions between Siri and the Messages app.
Talking of Messages, iOS 18 will see Apple adopting Wealthy Communication Companies (RCS) as a substitute for SMS/MMS. RCS will probably be used for conversations between iPhone customers and Android customers, and it’ll enhance cross-platform messaging.
Greater-resolution pictures and movies will probably be supported, as will audio messages, cross-platform emoji reactions, learn receipts, real-time typing indicators, and extra. Principally, texting with somebody on Android will really feel much more like chatting with one other iPhone consumer.
Blue and inexperienced bubbles aren’t going away, although. iMessage to iMessage chats will probably be blue, and Android to iMessage chats will nonetheless be inexperienced.
Extra data on what to anticipate from the iOS 18 replace will be present in our iOS 18 roundup.
macOS 15, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18
Together with iOS 18, we’ll additionally get new variations of macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. We have not heard a lot about these updates, however we are able to count on a number of the identical AI enhancements.
visionOS 2
Alongside the Imaginative and prescient Professional headset, Apple will introduce visionOS, the working system that is designed to run on the system. It has a Dwelling Display, a devoted App Retailer, digital actuality environments, and Apple apps tailor-made to the Imaginative and prescient Professional Show. Whereas the primary iteration of visionOS will come out alongside the headset, visionOS 2 will seemingly be previewed in June.
Apple TV (First Half of 2024)
Apple is engaged on a brand new model of the Apple TV 4K, however it isn’t but clear when it will launch. Rumored options embody a sooner A16 processor and help for Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.
Extra on the next-generation Apple TV will be present in our Apple TV information.
iPhone 16 (September 2024)
The usual iPhone 16 fashions are anticipated to look much like the iPhone 15 fashions with no measurement or design modifications, however there will probably be some notable enhancements. Apple is planning for a vertical digicam association to help spatial video seize, eliminating the diagonal lens setup.
Proper now, the iPhone 15 Professional fashions are the one gadgets capable of document spatial video that may be seen on the Imaginative and prescient Professional, however that’s anticipated to vary in 2024. There’s additionally going to be a brand new Seize Button on all 4 iPhone 16 fashions, with the button located on the best aspect of the system below the ability button.
It’s going to be in roughly the identical spot because the mmWave antenna on U.S. iPhone fashions, with the mmWave antenna set to maneuver to the left aspect. Because the identify suggests, the Seize Button will present customers with a fast method to take movies. The Seize Button will probably be capacitive, providing haptic suggestions when pressed, plus rumors recommend it helps a number of strain ranges.
The Motion Button launched with the iPhone 15 Professional is predicted to broaden to the usual iPhone 16 fashions, so will probably be out there throughout the 2024 lineup. The Motion Button will be assigned to do issues like mute/unmute, activate translate, activate the flashlight, set a Focus mode, activate a customized Shortcut, and extra.
The Motion Button on the iPhone 16 fashions may very well be upgraded to make use of capacitive expertise, which would offer haptic suggestions when pressed.
With the iPhone 15 lineup, Apple restricted the 3-nanometer A17 Professional to the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max, however in 2024, all 4 iPhone fashions will get 3-nanometer A-series chips. A brand new thermal design to fight overheating is a risk as effectively.
We’ve extra on all the options rumored for the iPhone 16 in our iPhone 16 roundup.
iPhone 16 Professional (September 2024)
Apple’s flagship lineup consists of 4 telephones, two normal fashions and two Professional fashions. This yr, the iPhone 16 Professional fashions are going to get a measurement replace.
The iPhone 16 Professional is predicted to have a 6.3-inch show, up from 6.1 inches, whereas the iPhone 15 Professional Max is predicted to have a 6.9-inch show, up from 6.7 inches. To accommodate the bigger shows, the iPhone 16 Professional and Professional Max will probably be barely taller and wider than the equal iPhone 15 Professional fashions.
The entire options coming to the iPhone 16 lineup are anticipated for the iPhone 16 Professional fashions, together with the capacitive Seize Button on the best aspect and an up to date capacitive Motion Button, each of which is able to characteristic haptic suggestions.
A sooner A-series chip is rumored, seemingly the A18 Professional, and there are some fairly main digicam updates deliberate. Apple might add a 48-megapixel Extremely Large lens, which is able to be a part of the 48-megapixel Large lens. The Extremely Large digicam will supply higher low-light efficiency, and it’ll facilitate higher spatial movies for the Imaginative and prescient Professional headset too.
Each the iPhone 16 Professional and the iPhone 16 Professional Max will get the 5x tetraprism lens that was restricted to the 15 Professional Max in 2023, and there is one rumor about an excellent higher periscope digicam with “tremendous zoom” capabilities.
Quicker 5G modem chips from Qualcomm are anticipated, and the iPhone 16 Professional fashions might also get the next-generation Wi-Fi 7 expertise that gives as much as 2.4x sooner speeds than Wi-Fi 6.
Apple Watch X (September 2024)
Apple is planning a significant replace for the Apple Watch this yr, maybe in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the system. The Apple Watch was introduced in 2014, however did not come out till 2015, so technically it is not clear whether or not the anniversary will fall in 2024 or 2025. 2024 will, nonetheless, be the yr that we’re anticipated to get the “Apple Watch 10” or “Apple Watch X” as rumors have known as it.
Rumors recommend there will probably be a brand new design and new well being options for the 2024 Apple Watch. The subsequent Apple Watch may very well be slimmer, and Apple might implement a magnetic band attachment system, altering how bands connect with the Apple Look ahead to the primary time.
The brand new band system would imply that present bands would not going be appropriate with the brand new model of the Apple Watch, however swapping over to a magnetic system would liberate house within the Apple Watch both to make the casing slimmer or so as to add greater batteries or different new inside elements.
Apple hasn’t added new well being options to the look ahead to a while, however in 2024, we might see sleep apnea detection and blood strain monitoring. Rumors recommend the Apple Watch will have the ability to detect hypertension, monitoring whether or not a consumer’s blood strain is trending upward. The primary iteration of blood strain monitoring will not give particular systolic and diastolic readings, however a future model may.
Sleep apnea detection will probably be executed by sleep measurements and the monitoring of respiratory patterns. The Apple Watch will have the ability to inform customers if the situation is perhaps current, permitting them to contact their physician for extra data.
Extra on modifications anticipated for the 2024 Apple Watch will be present in our Apple Watch X information.
AirPods 4 (September 2024)
Fourth-generation AirPods are coming in 2024, and as with the MacBook Air and iPad Air, Apple goes for a two-model launch. Two variations of the AirPods will probably be out there at completely different value factors, with the higher-end model to realize Lively Noise Cancellation, a characteristic that has beforehand been restricted to the AirPods Professional and AirPods Max.
The AirPods 4 can have an up to date design that is a cross between the present AirPods 3 and the AirPods Professional, with shorter stems. Match is predicted to be improved, as is sound high quality, however it’s unclear if Apple will add silicone ideas.
A redesigned case is ready to characteristic audio system for Discover My alerts and a USB-C charging port, and with a software program replace coming later in 2024, Apple will add listening to support performance that may let the AirPods function an over-the-counter different to conventional listening to aids.
New AirPods Professional are within the works too, however a refresh is not anticipated till 2025.
USB-C AirPods Max (September 2024)
Apple hasn’t up to date the AirPods Max since launch, and in 2024, they’re going to get a minor refresh. Apple is predicted so as to add a USB-C port for charging and new shade choices, however nothing else will change.
iPad Mini 7 (October 2024)
There is a new model of the iPad mini coming, however no design modifications are deliberate. We are able to count on an upgraded A-series chip, seemingly the A16, together with upgraded entrance and rear cameras.
The show meeting could also be put in another way with a view to decrease “jelly scrolling” or display screen tearing, which may trigger photos and textual content on one aspect of the show to be tilted downward as a result of mismatched refresh charges.
New colours are seemingly, and Apple will in all probability add Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, enhancements it has been making to all of its iPad fashions.
Refreshed Low-Price iPad (October 2024)
Alongside the brand new iPad mini 7, we might see a refreshed low-cost iPad. Apple sometimes updates the iPad on an annual foundation, however the firm skipped 2023, so we’re due for a refresh.
No design modifications are coming, however the iPad will get a sooner chip (seemingly the A16), and it may very well be up to date with help for Wi-Fi 6E.
Mac mini (Late 2024)
The Mac mini is due for an replace, because it was final refreshed with M2 chips in January 2023. A 2024 model of the desktop machine will embody Apple’s M3 and M3 Professional chips.
Equipment
Magic Keyboard
Alongside the brand new iPad Professional fashions, Apple is predicted to debut an up to date model of the Magic Keyboard. The brand new Magic Keyboard will characteristic a sturdier body constructed from aluminum, giving it a extra Mac-like look.
The keyboard will probably be manufactured from aluminum as effectively, and Apple is planning so as to add a bigger trackpad that extra carefully resembles the trackpad of the MacBook.
Apple Pencil 3
A refreshed model of the Apple Pencil is within the works, with the brand new system set to be a followup to the Apple Pencil 2. It will likely be a higher-end Apple Pencil capable of work with Apple’s next-generation iPad Professional and iPad Air.
We do not but know lots about what we are able to count on from a brand new Apple Pencil.
Different Potentialities
- MacBook Professional – The MacBook Professional was up to date with M3, M3 Professional, and M3 Max chips in late 2023. Apple generally refreshes the MacBook Professional yearly, however to date there isn’t any phrase of M4 chips or whether or not we’ll see a MacBook Professional replace in 2024.
- Mac Studio – The Mac Studio was up to date with M2 Max and M2 Extremely chips in June 2023, so it might get an replace with M3 chips in some unspecified time in the future in 2024. Apple has not but unveiled an M3 Extremely chip.
- Mac Professional – Just like the Mac Studio, the Mac Professional was refreshed in June 2023 with the M2 Extremely. There is no phrase on once we’ll see it up to date once more as of but.
- Dwelling Hub Gadget – Rumors recommend Apple is engaged on a sensible house show that may function a central hub for controlling good house merchandise, and it might launch as quickly as 2024.
- New Show – There have been a number of rumors of a Professional Show XDR successor, however there isn’t any phrase on when an replace may come. It may very well be 2024, or it may very well be later.
Wrap Up
Based mostly on what we’re listening to to date, 2024 goes to be a monumental yr for Apple. Together with the Imaginative and prescient Professional, the iPad lineup is ready to get an overhaul, and the brand new iPhone fashions have some thrilling options. We’re additionally relying on a set of recent AI options within the software program updates which might be coming this yr.
Ensure that to observe MacRumors.com and the MacRumors roundups and guides over the course of 2024 to maintain up with all the rumors we’re listening to. Bookmark our What to Count on Information and our Occasions Information to see a frequently up to date overview of what is on the horizon.
