Apple officially held its autumn new product launch event on September 10th， unveiling the all-new iPhone 17 series， which includes the iPhone 17， iPhone 17 Pro， iPhone 17 Pro Max， and iPhone Air. Notably， the standard iPhone 17 finally receives ProMotion technology for a high refresh rate display. The Pro models boast a new body design and an upgraded telephoto lens， while the iPhone Air emphasizes extreme thinness at a mere 5.6mm. This launch signals Apple’s ongoing commitment to refining its core product lines.
In addition to the iPhone lineup， Apple also introduced the AirPods Pro 3 and three new Apple Watch models. Beyond these immediate releases， the company is anticipated to launch several more significant products in the coming months. Let’s take a closer look at what’s expected to hit the market soon.
iPad Pro:
The most significant upgrade expected for the new iPad Pro is the adoption of the M5 chip， manufactured using TSMC’s N3P process. This upgrade promises improved energy efficiency over the M4 chip currently found in some iPads. The new iPad Pro is anticipated to debut in October. This move aligns with Apple’s strategy of consistently pushing the boundaries of mobile processing power， aiming to offer users unparalleled performance for both productivity and creative tasks.
Vision Pro 2:
The next iteration of the Vision Pro is expected to be primarily an internal hardware upgrade， building upon the foundation of the current model which utilizes the M2 chip. The new Vision Pro is projected to feature the M5 chip， delivering a substantial boost in overall performance. While major design overhauls are not anticipated， the focus is clearly on enhancing the computational power to support more demanding spatial computing experiences. This iterative approach allows Apple to refine its mixed-reality platform while exploring new possibilities.
Beyond the chip upgrade， significant changes to the product’s design or core hardware are not widely expected. However， a redesigned head strap for improved comfort during extended wear is a possibility， addressing a key aspect of user experience for prolonged immersion.
Apple TV 4K:
The upcoming Apple TV 4K is set to be powered by the A17 Pro chip， ensuring enhanced performance and compatibility with Apple Intelligence features on tvOS. The device is also rumored to incorporate Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips， possibly the N1 chip previously seen in the iPhone 17 series， supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. This upgrade suggests a move towards greater integration and potentially optimized connectivity. Furthermore， the new Apple TV will support a revamped Siri experience powered by Apple Intelligence， slated for release next year. The new Apple TV 4K is anticipated to launch before the end of this year.
AirTag 2:
Following its debut in 2021， the AirTag is due for an update after a four-year hiatus. The new generation is expected to retain its familiar form factor while upgrading to a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip. This enhancement should provide a wider tracking range， making it easier to locate lost items. The AirTag 2 is also predicted to be released by the end of this year， offering a refined tracking experience for Apple users.
HomePod mini 2:
The HomePod mini， last updated in 2020， is another product line poised for a refresh. The next iteration is expected to feature a more powerful chip， likely the S9 or S10， offering improved CPU and GPU performance. The inclusion of new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips supporting Wi-Fi 6E promises faster network speeds and reduced latency. Additionally， Apple may enhance audio hardware to deliver superior sound quality. The HomePod mini 2 is also anticipated before the year’s end， aiming to provide a more capable and connected smart home experience.
MacBook Pro:
While Apple launched MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips in January 2023， the next generation of 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros is expected to feature M5， M5 Pro， and M5 Max chips. Currently， there are no rumors of other significant design changes. However， a more substantial overhaul is anticipated for MacBook Pros by the end of 2026， potentially including OLED displays， touchscreen capabilities， a thinner chassis， and the M6 series chips built on a 2nm process. This long-term outlook suggests Apple is planning a significant leap forward in its professional laptop offerings.
iPhone 17e:
Following the release of the iPhone 16e in February， which served as a more budget-friendly version of the iPhone 16， Apple is expected to update this product line in the first half of next year with the iPhone 17e. It will likely feature the same 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate， but the notch will be replaced by the Dynamic Island. Core hardware will see an upgrade to the A19 chip， identical to the one in the iPhone 17， along with 8GB of RAM， enabling full support for Apple Intelligence. It remains to be seen if， like the iPhone 16e’s A18 chip， one GPU core will be disabled.
In terms of cameras， expect a 12MP front camera and a 48MP rear camera， with no significant upgrades anticipated. As a budget option， the iPhone 17e’s improvements over its predecessor are modest. Compared to the significantly upgraded iPhone 17， the difference will be quite apparent. However， the iPhone 17e’s existence likely serves to make the standard iPhone the more compelling and value-oriented option.
Concluding Thoughts
Based on current information， Apple is expected to launch a considerable number of new products between now and mid-next year. The majority of these are anticipated to be iterative hardware upgrades rather than revolutionary departures. However， it’s crucial to remember that these are based on leaks and rumors， and Apple is known to surprise its audience. The coming months promise exciting developments for Apple enthusiasts and consumers alike.
