Apple is well-known for its fantastic products, which influence the future of consumer technology. In 2024, the Cupertino-based tech behemoth could release numerous new devices to satisfy its ever-expanding customer base and fight its competitors.
Based on claims from reliable industry insiders and leakers, I've compiled a list of anticipated Apple goods set to appear in 2024.
The new iPhone 16 variants and the Apple Watch series are slated to be unveiled in September 2024. However, Apple fans may not have to wait long for new products, as the first major release of the year might arrive as early as March.
March could see the release of the new OLED iPad Pro, the updated iPad Air, and revamped 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air versions. So there's a lot to look forward to in the coming months!
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iPhone 16 lineup
As with every year, the iPhone is one of the most anticipated Apple devices in 2024. This year's iPhone 16 lineup could include larger 'Pro' models equipped with new chipsets and camera enhancements.
According to a MacRumors rumor, a new Capture button may accompany the Action button debuted with 15 Pro models. The additional button would likely be situated on the device's bottom right side, allowing users to take landscape images and movies. It could even be touch-sensitive, allowing you to zoom in or out with a single swipe.
Because Apple intends to improve photography-related functions with the iPhone 16 Series, we can anticipate an improved 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens with greater low-light performance. Furthermore, the iPhone 16 Pro Max could include a 300mm super-telephoto periscope camera with much improved optical zoom and portrait photography capabilities.
While the majority of big modifications will be reserved to the Pro models, we may expect significant enhancements to the lower-tier models. For example, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus might have a vertical camera configuration rather than a diagonal one, allowing you to create Spatial Videos.
Internally, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max would include a completely new A18 Pro chipset. This new CPU would be capable of running difficult machine learning tasks to fuel new AI features set to debut with iOS 18. However, the non-pro models are believed to use last year's A17 series CPUs.
New HomePod with a touchscreen display
Apple first announced the HomePod in February 2018, followed by the HomePod Mini in November 2020. While Apple discontinued the original HomePod in March 2021, a new version of the device was announced in January 2023, indicating that Apple has further intentions for the smart speaker industry.
In 2024, Apple might offer a HomePod with a display to compete with Google and Amazon's existing smart home gadgets. Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the upcoming HomePod would have a 7-inch display.
Not only that, but previous claims from Mark Gurman stated that Apple is developing a high-end speaker with a touch screen, which could potentially combine an Apple TV set-top box with a camera for video calling.
To add fuel to the fire, code discovered by 9to5Mac in tvOS 17.4 beta 3 indicates the presence of a new device capable of running tvOS. This device, known as "Z314," appears to be powered by an A15 Bionic microprocessor.
The code also suggests that prototype and production versions of this gadget are already being tested, indicating that the new HomePod has advanced in development.
Redesigned iPhone SE
Apple is anticipated to release a new iPhone SE in 2024, after not updating it in over two years. According to industry insiders and leakers, the iPhone SE may undergo a radical overhaul this time around, featuring a flat frame. Additionally, the thick bezels and Home Button will be phased out.
The iPhone SE 4 will most likely include a 6.1-inch OLED display with a notch, making it the first iPhone SE to allow Face ID. However, to keep expenses down, the new model will just have one camera.
Fortunately, to make its budget offering a compelling alternative for consumers, Apple is believed to equip the iPhone SE 4 with a USB-C connector, maybe coupled with the new Action button, as seen on the top iPhone models. It would also include a newer chipset and Apple's own 4nm 5G modem.
Apple Watch X and Ultra 3
Apple could release a flood of new Apple Watch models in 2024. This would apply to the Apple Watch Series X, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 3. While we expect the Apple Watch Series X and Apple Watch SE to undergo significant design changes, the Ultra 3 will be a minor improvement.
Mark Gurman believes the Apple Watch X will replace the current band attachment mechanism with a magnetic one. This new method would allow consumers to easily switch bands. Apple could also include a few new health features to detect hypertension and sleep apnea.
In terms of the other two versions, the Apple Wach Ultra 3 may finally be available in a deeper color and will incorporate Series X health features. Meanwhile, Omdia rumors, which have since been deleted, imply that the Apple Watch SE may inherit design elements from the Apple Watch Series 9. They even say it could get the S9 SiP and Apple Watch Series 4's ECG functionality.
M3 Mac mini
The M3 series of Apple Silicon processors has been available in newer MacBook Pros since late October 2023. However, the M3 chips may eventually make their way to Apple's desktop-class Mac mini in 2024, after not being upgraded since January 2023.
According to The Verge, Apple is already working on the next-generation Mac mini, which is set to launch in early 2024. According to hardware specifications obtained in third-party developer logs, one of the upcoming Mac mini versions would most likely have an 8-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, and 24GB RAM.
MacBook Air 13- and 15-inch with M3
Along with the new iPad models, we should expect an improved 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air in March 2024. However, given that the MacBook Air underwent a design revision in 2022 and a bigger variant became available in 2023, we do not anticipate significant cosmetic modifications. The primary focus will be on replacing the two-year-old M2 processor with a more powerful M3.
The M3 outperforms the M2 in terms of efficiency and performance because of TSMC's 3-nanometer technology. This is abundantly visible from the benchmarks, which show that M3 processors have up to 21% higher CPU performance and 15% faster GPU performance.
New iPad models
iPads are updated with new and improved models virtually every year. However, 2023 marked the first year since the iPad's launch that no new variants were released. This suggests that Apple intends to significantly alter the iPad portfolio in 2024, a claim supported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
For starters, the iPad Pro variants are rumored to include M3 CPUs and OLED panels. The new iPad Air, on the other hand, is expected to be available in both larger 12.9-inch and normal 10.9-inch versions, with M2 CPUs and LCD panels to keep costs low.
The entry-level iPad is also expected to be updated with a new 11th generation device. This will allow Apple to phase out the ninth-generation iPad, which still includes a home button, and introduce the tenth-generation iPad in its place. In addition, Apple is expected to announce an improved iPad Mini.
Aside from the display and chipset, recent rumors from Mark Gurman indicate that the new iPad would have a landscape-oriented front camera, similar to the 10th-generation tablet. Furthermore, the new iPad Pro will be accompanied with a redesigned Magic Keyboard featuring an aluminum top cover.
