Apple is gearing up for a major year of new product releases in 2024, according to multiple reports from reliable Apple insiders and industry analysts. The company is planning its broadest array of hardware, software, and services updates in recent years, setting the stage for an exciting year ahead.
New iPhones With Exciting Upgrades
Headlining Apple’s 2024 roadmap will be the iPhone 16 series, likely to be unveiled in September per usual. Well-connected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports the iPhone 16 Pro models will adopt new tech like Wi-Fi 7 support for faster speeds, as well as solid-state buttons with haptic feedback instead of physical buttons.
The entire iPhone 15 lineup is also expected to make the switch to USB-C charging in compliance with looming EU regulations. This will enable faster wired data transfers and charging speeds compared to Lightning.
On the software side, iOS 17 will bring several new capabilities to iPhones like support for RCS messaging with Android users, Apple Music classical music integration, and more.
| Expected iPhone 16 Features |
|---|
| Solid-state haptic buttons |
| Wi-Fi 7 wireless chip |
| USB-C charging |
| iOS 17 software update |
Beyond the iPhone 16, rumors suggest development work is already underway on an iPhone model with a foldable display for potential release in 2025 or later. This would represent Apple’s take on the growing foldable phone category currently led by Samsung.
Redesigned iPad Pro and iPad Air
Apple’s iPad lineup is also on track for exciting refreshes in 2024, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The flagship iPad Pro will be completely redesigned around an OLED display rather than LCD, enabling better contrast and image quality.
Meanwhile the cheaper iPad Air will reportedly get its first major update since 2020, with more power, new cameras, and 5G support. These updates will help both iPad models stay competitive in the tablet market against Samsung’s popular Galaxy Tab S8 series.
Faster M3-Series Macs Across the Lineup
On the Mac side, 2024 is shaping up to be the year when Apple’s full transition to custom Apple silicon will be completed. Multiple reports indicate new high-end MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models with M3 chips even more powerful than the current M2 are in the pipeline.
Apple is planning M3 variations including a 12-core CPU and up to a 96-core GPU, representing major performance leaps over current Apple silicon. The introduction of these M3 Macs will allow Apple to phase out its remaining Intel-based Macs still being sold.
Additional Rumored Products
Beyond iPhone, iPad, and Mac updates, Apple has a wide range of other new products reportedly in development:
- AirPods Pro 2: Refreshed earbuds could gain heart rate tracking and hearing aid capabilities
- HomePod: A new full-sized HomePod with updated internals is rumored after the original was discontinued
- Apple TV: Potential refresh with an A14 chip and added gaming capabilities
- Apple Watch Series 9: Expected to retain similar design but with faster chip
- AR/VR Headset: Apple’s long-rumored augmented/virtual reality headset could emerge
Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said 2024 may see the introduction of Apple’s “broadest array of new hardware products in its history,” so there are likely even more surprises in store.
Launch Dates and Pricing Remain Unclear
Apple has yet to officially confirm any products for 2024, so exact release dates, pricing, and launch event dates are not yet known. The company typically holds three key hardware events per year: an iPhone event in September, iPad/Mac event in October, and miscellaneous early-year event.
While some new products like iPhone 16 and iOS 17 updates are essentially locked for September, the timing of other launches remains up in the air. Anyone interested in Apple’s 2024 roadmap will need to stay tuned for more concrete details to emerge as we get closer to the launch windows.
Outlook: Momentum Building Towards Major 2025 Milestones
While 2024 is gearing up to be a monumental period for Apple, even more ambitious plans are reportedly taking shape for 2025 and beyond.
Apple is said to be aiming to transition its Mac lineup to mini-LED and OLED displays by 2025, which will greatly elevate image quality over standard LCD panels. Its long-rumored AR/VR headset could also hit the consumer market in 2025 depending on pacing of development.
Looking ahead to smartphones, reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple has an iPhone model with a periscopic zoom lens for vastly improved optical zoom capabilities planned for 2025. This would leapfrog iPhone camera technology ahead of competitors.
2024 is clearly going to be an action-packed year for Apple, but it may prove to be just the setup for even more radical innovations set to drop in 2025 and beyond as Apple maintains its relentless pace of progress across all product categories. Exciting times appear to be ahead in Cupertino.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
