Apple is one of the most secretive companies in the world of big tech. Rumors of future products tend to develop years ahead of their time, and while we can all speculate as much as we like, we really don’t know what’s coming until Apple’s new products are announced. However, for existing products, it is a bit easier as most of them are on an annual upgrade cycle with few exceptions.
But the rumor mill for new products, such as Apple’s Mixed Reality headset, has been hitting peak levels of hype lately, which leads us to believe that its release is imminent. We may also have the first iPhone with USB-C charging, eliminating the need for a proprietary Lightning cable, and even a 15-inch MacBook Air.
It can be hard to keep track of everything Apple is releasing this year, so we’re rounding it all up here. Apple has already released some new products for 2023, such as a new yellow iPhone 14, an updated HomePod, Mac mini with new M2 and M2 Pro chips, as well as the M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro.
But what gadgets can we expect to see before the year is out? Here are all the Apple products we’re looking forward to in 2023. Only interested in laptops? Here are all the Mac launches we can expect in 2023.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro
If there’s any Apple product with an upgrade cycle that’s truly like clockwork, it’s the iPhone, which is always in decline. This year, we can expect the iPhone 15 lineup to include the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Although the iPhone 15 is rumored to have a larger 6.2-inch display this year, the rest of the lineup will likely have the same size as before.
Due to European regulations mandating the use of a common charger for all electronics, including the iPhone, the iPhone 15 series is expected to drop Lightning for USB-C charging. Apple is still doing a “Made for iPhone” (MFI) program for USB-C charging, though, so that will mean USB-C cables that are “optimized” for the iPhone. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models could benefit from faster data transfer speeds, but the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus could be stuck with slower USB 2.0 transfer speeds, which would be similar to the current Lightning cable.
While Dynamic Island was exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models, it could be available across the entire iPhone 15 lineup. The bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro models may be much thinner than their predecessors, while the regular iPhone 15 models may not see as much reduction.
The iPhone 15 lineup is also rumored to ditch physical volume buttons in favor of solid-state buttons that rely on haptics, and even the mute toggle could go away for solid-state buttons.
iphone 15 ultra
Other rumors revolving around the iPhone 15 include a new iPhone 15 Ultra, which may or may not be identical to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
But it will involve more than just a name change. The iPhone 15 Ultra is rumored to have a titanium body instead of stainless steel, which would be more lightweight and durable. This would also mean a higher starting price, however, with rumors suggesting a starting price of $1200.
Another major upgrade will be a periscope-style telephoto camera, which is rumored to be available only on the iPhone 15 Ultra or Pro Max models. This would mean a higher level of optical zoom than what we currently have, bringing the iPhone up to the same optical zoom range offered by competitors such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Another camera improvement will be the dual selfie cameras for better bokeh effect on self-portrait images. And while the rest of the iPhone 15 lineup gets USB-C, reports suggest that the iPhone 15 Ultra could be completely portless, relying only on wireless charging.
Then again, we’re not entirely sure if the iPhone 15 Ultra is going to be a different product, or if it’s going to be an improved iPhone 15 Pro Max. But if these rumored upgrades are true, it could be worthy of that higher price tag.
apple watch series 9
Another product that is on an annual release cycle, and comes with the new iPhones, is the Apple Watch. This year, we can expect the Apple Watch Series 9, although if the Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 are any indication, we may not get any major upgrades. Last year, the big upgrade came in the form of the brand new Apple Watch Ultra, which is a completely different product. It would be nice to see some Ultra features on the regular Apple Watch Series 9, but we won’t be holding our breath.
The rumor mill has been fairly light on the Apple Watch front, whether it’s the Series 9, the second-generation Ultra, or the new affordable SE model. While Apple has made some important milestones on the non-intrusive blood glucose monitoring front, the technology may still have a way to go, so we might not see any groundbreaking new health features in the Series 9. . Nevertheless, we have an Apple Watch Series 9 wishlist of what we expect to see… if we’re being optimistic.
iPad, iPad Air and iPad Mini
Since Apple will release an updated iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro in 2022 and an iPad mini in 2021, there’s not much to expect in terms of major upgrades this year. In fact, rumors suggest that Apple is shifting most of its focus to the mixed reality headset, meaning less attention to other products like the entire iPad lineup.
However, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg suggests that there could be very minor spec bumps for the entry-level iPad, iPad mini and iPad Air this year, if any new models are released. But for major updates, it may not be until the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pros, which may be announced in the first half of 2024.
M2 Mac Pro
The Mac Pro is still the only product in Apple’s lineup that it hasn’t converted to Apple silicon. Despite repeatedly showing that its own M1 Ultra revolves around the older Intel chip in the current Mac Pro, you can spend thousands of dollars buying one from Apple.
An updated Mac Pro has been in the works for a long time — heck, it was even mentioned by name at the spring event in 2022. But it’s finally coming, and it could launch as soon as April. However, the rumors about it may be disappointing for some. Firstly, it is rumored to come with an M.2 Ultra chip, nothing more powerful. Currently, the M1 Ultra is available only in Mac Studio and is the most powerful Apple silicon you can buy. The proposal of both the Mac Pro and Mac Studio in the lineup has left many scratching their heads, especially since some sources claim it won’t have user-upgradeable RAM or graphics at this point.
15 inch macbook air
A bigger MacBook Air is one of the strangest rumors for the 2023 lineup. Apple already has a packed lineup of MacBooks, especially in the under-$1,500 category, including the M1 MacBook Air, M2 MacBook Air, and the 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro. , But reports are showing that Apple is planning to expand the MacBook Air to a bigger size. This will be the first time Apple has offered size options for the MacBook Air since discontinuing the 11-inch model in 2016.
This larger MacBook Air is rumored to have a larger 15.5-inch screen, but should otherwise share a lot with the current 13-inch M2 MacBook Air.
m2 iMac
The 24-inch iMac was one of the first Apple silicon Macs, which demonstrated how the efficiency of the chips could allow Apple to create some cutting-edge designs. In the case of the 24-inch iMac, Apple was able to make the display incredibly thin by squeezing the entire motherboard into the bottom chin. Jokes about the edge of that chin aside, it was a new look for the iMac, which came relatively unchanged from a decade ago.
An updated iMac is now rumored to be in the works, which should rival the chip from its current M1 on the inside. It’s currently not known whether Apple will upgrade the iMac to the M2 and launch it sooner – or save it as a launch product for the M3 for later in the line. If the latter turns out to be true, it could expire in 2024.
Unfortunately, the new reports about a larger iMac don’t appear to be in the works. Apple discontinued the 27-inch iMac by switching to Apple Silicon and apparently customers remain content to point to the Mac Studio and Studio Display as replacements.
apple reality pro headset
The coolest Apple product of 2023 is set to be the Reality Pro headset – if it ends up being released this year. The Reality Pro headset, as the name is rumored, will be the company’s first major new product category launch since the Apple Watch, which explains why anticipation has been so strong. The higher-end product is rumored to be a mixed-reality headset along the lines of the Meta Quest Pro or the HTC Vive XR Elite and could cost up to $3,000. Wow.
However, the rumored 15 cameras, 4K screen, 150-gram weight, and ability to toggle between AR and VR would easily make the Reality Pro the most advanced product of its kind — but we’ll have to wait and see what Apple plans to do next. What is there, cooked. Either way, this is going to be a make-or-break moment for XR technology and the Metaverse. As for a release date, all rumors are pointing to an announcement at WWDC in June, with a possible release later in the year.
Mini-LED Pro Display XDR
An update to the Pro Display XDR has been rumored for a long time, but its release date continues to be pushed back. This updated 27-inch monitor will make the jump to mini-LED, or OLED, to match what the company has done with its recent MacBook Pros. There’s been a surge of interest in mini-LED and OLED monitors lately, and Apple’s insanely expensive Pro Display XDR is starting to get a little long in the tooth.
It certainly makes sense that Apple would want its most expensive and Pro-certified monitors to offer the best of the best display technology, including a blazingly fast ProMo refresh rate. It would make sense for Apple to launch this display alongside the new Mac Pro as well, but rumors are currently pointing to a late 2023 launch at the earliest.
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