Apple Product Roadmap and Technological Advancements

1. Introduction

• This report provides a comprehensive overview of Apple's upcoming product releases and technological advancements based on verified data and current state information.

2. Upcoming Mac Product Lineup

• 2-1. M4 Chip Development and Rumors

• Apple is developing a lineup of M4 chips, including the standard M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max, and a higher-end version codenamed 'Hidra.' The Hidra chip may either be an 'Ultra' version equivalent to the M2 Ultra or a more powerful variant. Current Mac Studio models use M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips. The M4 models are expected to come equipped with M4 Max and M4 Ultra (or its equivalent) chips, particularly for demanding system-intensive workflows.

• 2-2. Mac Studio with M4 Chips

• The new Mac Studio will feature M4 chips, specifically the M4 Max and M4 Ultra (or its equivalent). This upgrade is designed for users who require advanced compute and graphics capabilities. Apple plans to enhance the Neural Engine in the M4 to boost AI and machine learning performance, potentially supporting up to 500GB of Unified Memory, an increase from the current 192GB maximum.

• 2-3. Mac Pro Enhancements

• There is little differentiation between the Mac Studio and Mac Pro currently. However, Apple is planning for a more powerful M4 Ultra variant specifically for the Mac Pro to handle even more intensive workloads.

• 2-4. Skipping of M3 Chips for Mac Studio

• While Apple has updated the iMac, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air lines with M3 chips, the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro still use M2 chips. Given the planned M4 refresh in 2025, Apple might skip the M3 update for desktop machines. However, it's also possible we could see an M3 update around the middle of the year, followed by an M4 update next year.

3. Apple Software Updates for 2024

• 3-1. iOS 18 Features and Innovations

• iOS 18 is hailed as a groundbreaking software update with major new features and designs. The update focuses heavily on AI functionalities, including the implementation of generative AI across many system applications like Apple Music and Shortcuts. Siri is expected to see substantial improvements with enhanced natural conversation capabilities and new integration with Messages. Additionally, iOS 18 will introduce RCS (Rich Communication Services) enabling more seamless text conversations between iPhone and Android users. Some design changes are also anticipated.

• 3-2. iPadOS 18 Advances

• Similar to iOS 18, iPadOS 18 will incorporate significant AI features. These enhancements aim to improve user experience by integrating advanced functionalities across the iPad platform.

• 3-3. macOS 15 Expectations

• As of now, details about macOS 15 are limited. It is expected to follow its predecessor, macOS Sonoma, and will likely include new AI features. Concrete specifics about the update are still not available.

• 3-4. tvOS 18 Overview

• There is currently no detailed information about the updates coming with tvOS 18. However, it is anticipated to be part of the annual refresh cycle that Apple follows for its software updates.

• 3-5. watchOS 11 Anticipations

• watchOS 11 is set to run on the Apple Watch. No specific details are available yet regarding what new features it may bring.

• 3-6. visionOS 2 Inclusions

• June 2024 will see the first update to visionOS with the introduction of visionOS 2. The new version will likely build on the capabilities introduced with the initial release of visionOS alongside the Vision Pro headset.

4. Upcoming Hardware Releases

• 4-1. iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro

• The iPhone 16 models are getting an Action button, a Capture button for taking video when the iPhone is in landscape orientation, and a new horizontal rear camera that will likely allow for capturing spatial video. The iPhone 16 is also expected to adopt a faster A18 chip built on Apple's 3-nanometer process. The iPhone 16 Pro models will feature larger 6.3 and 6.9-inch displays and retain most features of the iPhone 15 Pro models, including an upgraded 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens for the smaller iPhone 16 Pro, and the addition of a 5x Telephoto lens for the previously Max-only feature. The Pro models will also incorporate an A18 Pro chip with minor speed improvements.

• 4-2. Apple Watch X and New Apple Watch Ultra

• The Apple Watch X is rumored to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch with a major redesign. The new model is expected to be thinner and feature a magnetic band attachment system. New health features, including blood pressure monitoring for detecting hypertension and sleep apnea detection, are anticipated. While specific rumors about a refreshed Apple Watch Ultra in 2024 are scarce, minor updates to include any new health features introduced are likely.

• 4-3. AirPods 4 Innovations

• Apple plans to release two models of AirPods alongside the iPhone 16 lineup. One model will be lower cost, while the other will include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a feature previously exclusive to AirPods Pro. Both versions will have a new design with shorter stems and an upgraded USB-C charging case that includes a built-in speaker for the Find My feature.

• 4-4. iMac Updates

• The 24-inch iMac will receive an update with the next-generation M4 chip in late 2024. The M4 chip is expected to feature improved performance to support AI tasks and an updated Neural Engine with more cores.

• 4-5. MacBook Pro Enhancements

• Apple is set to refresh the MacBook Pro lineup with the M4-series chips in late 2024. The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro will get the M4 chip, while the higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch models will be equipped with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.

• 4-6. Mac mini Refresh

• Similar to the MacBook Pro, the Mac mini will likely be refreshed with M4 and M4 Pro chip options in late 2024. Current versions include the standard M2 and M2 Pro chips, which are expected to continue.

• 4-7. MacBook Air Spring 2025 Refresh

• Apple plans to refresh the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models in spring 2025 with M4 chips. No significant design changes are anticipated, with the focus remaining on the chip updates.

• 4-8. Apple TV 4K Upgrade

• A new Apple TV 4K is expected in the first half of 2024, featuring a faster A16 processor.

• 4-9. New AirPods Max

• Apple is expected to refresh the AirPods Max with a USB-C port and new color options.

• 4-10. iPad mini 7 Developments

• The next iPad mini will have an upgraded A-series chip and new front and rear cameras, with no expected design changes.

• 4-11. 11th-Generation Low-cost iPad

• Apple is working on an 11th-generation iPad, which will feature a faster chip and support for Wi-Fi 6E.

• 4-12. Home Hub Device

• Rumors suggest Apple is developing a smart home display to serve as a central hub for controlling smart home products, potentially launching as soon as 2024.

• 4-13. New Display Insights

• There are multiple rumors about a successor to the Pro Display XDR, though there is no specific release timeline available at this moment.

5. Future Technological Innovations

• 5-1. Potential iMac Pro Release

• Apple could introduce a larger 32-inch iMac, replacing the previously discontinued 27-inch iMac at some point. Apple’s plans are currently unclear, and there is no definite timeline for when a larger iMac might be launched.

• 5-2. Foldable iPhone Prospects

• Apple is reportedly working on a foldable iPhone that might range between 7.5 and 8 inches. The expected launch date for this device is slated for 2027 at the earliest.

• 5-3. Foldable iPad/Mac Developments

• Before releasing a foldable iPhone, Apple is expected to introduce some foldable notebook or iPad variants. Current rumors suggest a 20-inch MacBook with a foldable display, but it is likely to take at least three more years before any such product hits the market.

• 5-4. Vision Pro 2 and Lower-Cost Versions

• Apple is working on new versions of the Vision Pro headset. This includes a successor to the existing model as well as a lower-cost version that would be priced closer to the iPhone. The release dates for these versions are still speculative.

6. Products Released in 2024

• 6-1. Vision Pro Debut

• In February 2024, Apple released the Vision Pro headset in the United States, marking a significant milestone as the company's first new product category since the Apple Watch in 2015. The Vision Pro is priced starting at $3,500 and features cutting-edge technology, including 4K micro-OLED displays, options to switch between augmented and virtual reality, over a dozen cameras for gesture and eye-based control, and capabilities to use it as a Mac display, personal theater for movie-watching, and more. Additionally, Apple launched visionOS, the operating system for the Vision Pro, alongside this release.

• 6-2. Early March MacBook Air Launch

• On March 4, 2024, Apple announced new 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch MacBook Air models. These models exhibit minimal physical changes compared to previous generations from 2022 and 2023. They are equipped with the new 3-nanometer M3 chip, which is roughly 20% faster than the preceding M2 chip and offers enhanced graphics capabilities such as hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Other notable improvements include Wi-Fi 6E, a fingerprint-resistant coating for the Midnight color, and improved microphones.

• 6-3. May iPad Pro and iPad Air Event

• During a virtual event on May 7, 2024, Apple introduced redesigned iPad Pro models in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. These models feature new 'Ultra Retina XDR' OLED displays for better contrast, superior HDR, enhanced colors, and greater power efficiency. Both iPad Pro models come with the new M4 chip, increased starting storage of 256GB, and a relocated landscape front camera and Face ID module. Additionally, Apple unveiled an updated Magic Keyboard with an aluminum shell, function keys, a larger haptic trackpad, and a new Apple Pencil Pro with squeeze and barrel roll gestures, haptic feedback, and Find My support. The iPad Air lineup was also expanded to two sizes (11-inch and 13-inch) and integrated Apple's M2 chip and a relocated landscape FaceTime camera. The event also saw the discontinuation of the ninth-generation iPad and a $100 price reduction for the 10th-generation iPad, now starting at $349.

7. Glossary

• 7-1. M4 Chip [Technology]

• The M4 chip is a next-generation processor by Apple designed to enhance performance, particularly in AI and machine learning tasks. It is expected to debut in various Mac products, providing significant improvements over the current M2 chips.

• 7-2. iOS 18 [Software]

• iOS 18 is anticipated to be a groundbreaking software update with major new AI-driven features and the biggest design overhaul in iPhone history. The update is expected to enhance natural conversation capabilities in Siri and introduce RCS for better text conversations between iPhone and Android users.

• 7-3. Vision Pro [Product]

• The Vision Pro is Apple’s augmented reality headset released in February 2024. It features 4K micro-OLED displays, the ability to switch between augmented and virtual reality, and is priced starting at $3,500.

8. Conclusion

• Based on the current data, Apple is poised for significant releases and technological advancements in 2024 and beyond, with a strong focus on integrating AI capabilities across its product lineup.

9. Source Documents

• Apple's M4 Mac Studio: What We Know So Farhttps://www.macrumors.com/guide/m4-mac-studio/
• Upcoming Apple Products Guide: What's Coming in 2024 and Beyondhttps://www.macrumors.com/guide/upcoming-apple-products/