Apple had a busy year in 2023, launching new products and services across its portfolio. From the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Series 8 to the M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros and the Apple Music Voice Plan, the company delivered on many of its promises and expectations. But what does Apple have in store for 2024? According to a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has a reliable track record of predicting Apple’s plans, the company is preparing to launch new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and MacBook Air models in the first half of the year, as well as debut its next-generation M3 chip for the Mac. Here are some of the highlights of Gurman’s report and what they could mean for Apple’s customers and competitors.
The iPad Pro is Apple’s flagship tablet, offering the most powerful performance, the best display, and the most advanced features. The current iPad Pro models, which were released in April 2023, feature a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED backlighting, which offers improved brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. The 11-inch iPad Pro, however, still uses a standard Liquid Retina display with LED backlighting, which is less impressive.
According to Gurman, Apple is planning to upgrade both the 11-inch and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with OLED displays, which are expected to launch around the end of March 2024. OLED displays are known for their deep blacks, wide viewing angles, and low power consumption. They are also thinner and lighter than LCD displays, which could allow Apple to reduce the thickness and weight of the iPad Pro. OLED displays are already used in the iPhone, the Apple Watch, and the MacBook Pro Touch Bar, so it makes sense for Apple to bring them to the iPad Pro as well.
The new iPad Pro models will also feature the M3 chip, which is the successor to the M2 chip that powers the current iPad Pro, as well as the 24-inch iMac and the Mac mini. The M3 chip is expected to offer faster performance and better efficiency than the M2 chip, as well as support for more memory and storage options. The new iPad Pro models will also come with updated versions of the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil, which will make the iPad Pro look more like a laptop and include a sturdier frame with aluminum, according to Gurman.
New screen sizes for the iPad Air
The iPad Air is Apple’s mid-range tablet, offering a balance between performance, design, and price. The current iPad Air, which was released in September 2023, features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with LED backlighting, the A15 Bionic chip, and Touch ID integrated into the power button. The iPad Air also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard, making it a versatile device for productivity and creativity.
According to Gurman, Apple is planning to launch new iPad Air models in two screen sizes, at 11-inches and 12.9-inches, which will also be available around the end of March 2024. This will mark the first time that the iPad Air is available in multiple different form factors, and it will also bring the iPad Air closer to the iPad Pro in terms of size and features. The new iPad Air models will likely feature the same OLED displays as the new iPad Pro models, as well as the A16 Bionic chip, which is expected to power the iPhone 16 and the Apple Watch Series 9. The new iPad Air models will also support the third-generation Apple Pencil, which will be released alongside the new iPad Pro models.
M3-powered MacBook Air
The MacBook Air is Apple’s most popular laptop, offering a thin and light design, a long battery life, and a reasonable price. The current MacBook Air, which was released in November 2023, features the M2 chip, which is the successor to the M1 chip that debuted in November 2021. The M2 chip offers faster performance and better efficiency than the M1 chip, as well as support for more memory and storage options. The current MacBook Air also features a 13.3-inch Retina display with LED backlighting, Touch ID, and a redesigned keyboard with function keys.
According to Gurman, Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Air models powered by the M3 chip, which will be available in 13-inch and 15-inch screen sizes. The new MacBook Air models are being developed alongside macOS 14.3, which is likely to be released between the end of January and February 2024. However, the hardware may not ship until the March time frame, Gurman says. The new MacBook Air models will feature a new design, with thinner bezels, a larger trackpad, and more ports, including MagSafe, HDMI, and SD card slot. The new MacBook Air models will also feature mini-LED displays, which will offer improved brightness, contrast, and color accuracy.
What does this mean for Apple and its customers?
Apple’s 2024 roadmap, as reported by Gurman, suggests that the company is not resting on its laurels and is continuing to innovate and improve its products and services. The new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and MacBook Air models will offer better performance, display, and design than their predecessors, and will also leverage the advantages of the M3 chip, which will be the most powerful and efficient chip that Apple has ever made. The new products will also enhance the user experience, with updated accessories, software, and features.
For Apple’s customers, this means that they will have more options and choices when it comes to buying Apple products, and they will also enjoy the benefits of the latest technology and innovation. The new products will also create more differentiation and segmentation among Apple’s product lines, which could help customers find the best product for their needs and preferences. For example, the new iPad Air models will offer a larger screen size and a more premium display than the current iPad Air, which could appeal to customers who want a more powerful and immersive tablet experience. The new MacBook Air models will offer a smaller and larger screen size than the current MacBook Air, which could appeal to customers who want a more portable or a more spacious laptop experience.
For Apple’s competitors, this means that they will face more pressure and challenges in competing with Apple in the tablet and laptop markets, and they will have to work harder to match or surpass Apple’s performance, display, and design. The new products will also highlight the advantages of Apple’s vertical integration, which allows the company to design and manufacture its own chips, software, and hardware, and to create a seamless and consistent ecosystem across its products and services. The new products will also showcase Apple’s innovation and leadership in the industry, and will set new standards and expectations for the market.