We're just a month away from autumn and the start of Apple's major product launch season. New products were scarce over the summer, but Apple is gearing up for a big autumn 2024, which will kick off with the iPhone 16 event in September.
Here are all the new Apple products that will go on sale this autumn:
The flagship iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max should offer big upgrades over last year's models. Here's the expected list of highlights:
Unlike the Pro versions, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will have the same display sizes as last year's models. Unlike recent history, however, the 16 and 16 Plus may get the same A18 Pro chip found in the Pro and Pro Max models. Or, this could be the first time we'll see the debut of two new iPhone chips: the A18 for entry-level models and the A18 Pro for top-tier models. Another feature expected to appear in all 16 models is a hardware button for camera functions, often referred to as the ‘capture button.’ Expect other camera improvements and new colour options for the standard 16 and 16 Plus, with iOS 18's artificial intelligence features being heralded as a major benefit.
Apple plans to release not one, but two separate lines of AirPods 4 models. These two models will offer a cheaper version and a more premium variant, with AirPods 2 and 3 expected to be removed from Apple's lineup. Both AirPods 4 models will feature USB-C charging cases and an updated case design that looks like a mix of AirPods Pro and AirPods 3. Noise cancellation is said to be exclusive to the higher-end model, as will Find My support.
The AirPods Max will finally get an update this autumn. The AirPods Max 2 will switch from Lightning charging to USB-C and will likely get a few features that are currently only available on the AirPods Pro 2, like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Personalised Audio.
Apple is banking on the new Apple Watch Series 10, with both standard sizes being upsized. The smaller Watch will be roughly the same size as the current larger model, while the larger variant will enlarge to fit the Ultra screen size. The device's body will also be thinner, and it will boast a more powerful chip that could lay the groundwork for Apple Intelligence in the future. Health sensors to detect hypertension and sleep apnea are also a possibility.
The Apple Watch Ultra has proven to be a hit for the company, with annual updates offered since its debut in 2022. Not much is known about this year's Apple Watch Ultra 3. They're sure to at least match the new features of the Series 10 models, including a faster chip that's better equipped for AI. We could also get new health sensors. One selling point that might interest many buyers is the black space titanium colour option.
The iPad Pro's exclusive position as Apple's only device with an M4 chip will soon come to an end. Apple is expected to release new MacBook Pro models with M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max chips this autumn. Don't expect a major change in the form factor of the computers, as the M4 will be the highlight of this year.
The iPad mini hasn't been updated since 2021, but that drought looks to be ending soon. After 2023 without an iPad, Apple plans to update its entire lineup this year, including the mini. Expect to see an updated display without the jelly scrolling and an updated chip. The iPad mini might even move to an M-class chip for compatibility with Apple Intelligence features.
To complete its mission to refresh the entire iPad lineup this year, Apple will also release a new base model iPad. Not much is known about this new device, but we should probably expect a newer, more powerful chip. Perhaps some Apple Pencil improvements as well. But nothing major in terms of hardware upgrades.
Apple has big - or should I say, small - plans to update the Mac mini this year. The new Mac mini will get an M4 chip, and there will be an M4 Pro option. But the bigger news is that the product will get a major hardware redesign. The new mini will reportedly be much smaller, closer in size to the existing Apple TV 4K.
Apple is also expected to release the M4 iMac before the end of 2024. Unlike the Mac mini, the new iMac is not expected to get a redesign or any other significant new features. Hopefully, we'll at least get USB-C accessories this time around.
From time to time, there have been rumours of new home devices being developed by Apple, possibly with a release date in 2024. One is an updated Apple TV 4K with a better chip, another is a redesigned HomePod with an LCD display on top. Neither update is likely to make a furore, and they won't bring Apple Intelligence compatibility. We'll have to wait and see what Apple has in store.
