Currently, Apple hosts a keynote in the spring, approximately every two years. The frequency may have been more significant in the past. It's unclear if an event will take place in 2024, but many products could be announced soon, according to several very reliable sources like Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman. We have therefore taken stock, with supporting technical details.
Of course, you should first know that the information we share here remains subject to caution. It is therefore quite difficult to see clearly among the different hypotheses shared by specialist analysts. In recent months, however, the various clues that we have been able to collect have largely converged. Despite everything, we have separated our list into two categories: on the one hand the “very probable” new features, and on the other hand those which could be overlooked or even postponed until later.
Let's start with the announcements which are almost certain.
“Very likely” new developments
New iPad Pros more beautiful than ever
Apple has not presented a single new iPad in 2022, and this is a first. Most rumors, however, suggest that the most efficient models, namely the iPad Pro, will be entitled to two new editions this year. One, following the current version, will offer an 11-inch OLED diagonal, probably powered by aM3 chiplike the one found under the hood of the latest 14-inch MacBook Pro. The other will be the seventh generation of the 12.9-inch edition, with the same technology without a backlight for the display and perhaps a higher maximum brightness.
The slab systemOLED, with subcontractors Samsung and LG Display expected at the helm, offers the possibility of enjoying better contrasts than current Retina IPS displays. The rest of the technical sheet should be substantially similar with both models, including a ProMotion refresh rate of one hundred and twenty frames per second and biometric Face ID unlocking (face recognition) on the front. With this, you should also expect a USB-C connection for charging, an aluminum design and even the operating systemiPadOS 17. Updated to final version last September, it brings many new features to the tablets it powers.
L’iPad Air XL
With this, let us point out that other theories – from many different sources – are counting on the upcoming presentation of an iPad larger than ever. Here, however, it is necessary to make the difference between the largest tablet in theory ever released by Apple, which could reach no less than fifteen to twenty inches, and the potential technical sheet of an iPad Air of the same size as the iPad Pro12.9 inches. It is the latter that has been in question for several weeks, the competitor of the Surface Studio not being planned for any time soon from the Apple firm.
More specifically, we would actually be getting two different iPad Airs this year. The first model would simply be the sixth generation of the edition that we already know, succeedinga version released in March 2022 and still available in stores currently. The latter is equipped with the M1 chip. We can then assume that it is the M3 which will equip the upcoming touchscreen tablet, but it would be more judicious for Cupertino to better separate its ranges and therefore to choose the M2. This would allow the iPad Pro to remain at the top of Apple's rankings.
A new color for the iPhone 15?
Almost every year, in the spring, Apple also unveils a new color for its high-end iPhones. Remember: in April 2021, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini had a purple edition for the first time. The following year, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini benefited from the arrival of a green version, while another, “alpine” green, landed on the iPhone 13 Pro. Then it will be all iPhone 14s and iPhone 14 Plus, switching to yellow in March 2023.
When it comes to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, rumors have already suggested that an editionrougedark was perhaps planned by Apple for the iPhone 15 Pro. A light red could therefore appear on the least expensive models, especially since no (PRODUCT)RED version saw the light of day last September. Since 2017, however, all collections of premium mobiles have been entitled to it, without the slightest exception.
Produits Apple PRODUCT(RED) © Apple
“Probable” new developments
Apple would like a successor to the iPad 10
We have noticed that the tenth generation iPad is regularly on sale, with reductions of more than a hundred euros, in recent weeks. This could mean that Apple is trying to empty its inventories, perhaps overestimated due to inflation. But for others, it is also a strategy aimed at making space on the shelves: the iPad 11 is on the way! It will then undoubtedly be published inseveral colors, probably different from what you find in stores now.
As a reminder, the “classic” iPads are today the most affordable offered by Apple. The price of the current model, however, had created controversy, with a price starting at 589 euros today for the basic version. The iPad 9 is still available in stores for less, but the latter could therefore disappear in favor of the eleventh version. We should then expect a potential screen of more than 10 inches, with a proprietary A15 Bionic chip under the hood. Estimates which, again, must be considered with caution.
Some doubts about the MacBook Air M3 and its fifteen-inch version
Since the M3 MacBook Pro was released, not a week goes by without us mentioning the possibility of a MacBook Air featuring the same processor. It is obvious that this will be the case soon, which pushes many sources to also bet on a spring keynote to present these new features. However, here it is: according to our research, it is necessary to qualify this statement. And for good reason: the two previous generations, in other words, the MacBook Air M2 and the MacBook Air M1, were all presented either in June during WWDC or at the end of the year.
Despite everything, regardless of its release date, the technical sheet of the upcoming MacBook Air already seems obvious. The device should therefore be equipped with a display screen14.2 incheswith fairly thin edges, cutting out the camera at the top of the screen. On the other hand, you should not expect a plethora of USB-C plugs, even if MacBook Pros are entitled to them. As for the operating system, today it is macOS Ventura which equips Apple laptops and this will not change before September. The name of the next edition is unknown.
The MacBook Air M3 should also be available in15.3 inches. We are using the large model with M2 chip in the editorial office at the moment:a very successful device.
Mac mini M3: our predictions
With the MacBook Air, it is the Mac mini which has not yet been entitled to its M3 chip.
However, such a version was not mentioned by journalist Mark Gurman, who remains one of the key sources when we want to know more about the computers that Apple is preparing. We therefore classify the Mac mini M3 as a “probable” device, but no more. It is also possible that Apple will release the machine through a simple press release, as has already been the case in the past with some of its less popular items.
Some additional information on this possible keynote
When will the spring keynote be held?
The spring keynote could be organized between mid-March and April. For comparison, here are the latest Apple Spring conference dates:
- 8 mars 2022
- 25 mars 2019
- 27 mars 2018
- 21 mars 2016
- 9 mars 2015
Please note, however, that the products announced will probably not be available at the same time. Pre-orders could be available the week of the presentations, but for receipt of packages to the first customers in April or even May.
End of year for the seventh generation iPad mini
If the iPad mini could also have an OLED version in2027, we think that the seventh generation, still in IPS, will perhaps see the light of day in 2024. But not in the spring: no rumor to this effect has reached us at the moment. We will therefore surely have to wait for the usual keynotes in September or October to see things more clearly.
No third-generation iPhone SE in 2024
In 2020 and 2022, Apple released an iPhone SE in the spring. But success would have been quite limited for the latest model. The crisis is to blame, it seems, since the latter has a greater impact on small wallets, which this series of mid-range mobiles is precisely targeting.
On the other hand, many rumors in the corridor suggest a fourth generation iPhone SE, certainly offbeat, but available next year. So maybe with a keynote in the spring2025that we will discover the device. This will surely have a new design, reminiscent of the iPhone 14 with a notch on the front and Face ID. No fingerprint sensor, therefore, and a larger screen with 6.1 inches on the clock.
AirPods et AirPods Max
The third generation of AirPods dates from October 2021. But it is the AirPods Max which are the oldest, among all accessories of the genre. This wireless headset was thus marketed inDecember 2020. Apple could therefore unveil a new version with several colors. But again, the potential release date doesn't really line up with the spring keynote. Patience, therefore.
And you, which product are you most looking forward to for the upcoming conference?
