The business released a bright yellow iPhone 14, brought back the HomePod, and overhauled the Mac collection with an M2 Mac mini and M2 MacBook Pro. But what else is on the docket? As it turns out, a lot more. From new iPhones, an improved Apple Watch, and possibly an AR headset, these are nine goods we still expect from Apple in 2023.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro
If there is any Apple product with an upgrade cycle that’s literally like clockwork, it’s the iPhone, which is always out in the fall. This year, we should expect the iPhone 15 lineup to comprise an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, it is claimed that the iPhone 15 will have a bigger 6.2-inch display this year, while the remainder of the range will have the same sizes as before.
The iPhone 15 series is projected to drop Lightning for USB-C charging, due to European rules mandating the use of a standard charger for all products, including the iPhone. Apple may still be doing a “Made for iPhone” (MFi) programme for USB-C charging, though, which would mean USB-C connections that are “optimized” for the iPhone. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models may benefit from greater data transfer speeds, but the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus may be stuck with slower USB 2.0 transfer capabilities, which would be the same as the present Lightning cords.
While the Dynamic Island was restricted to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models, it may be available throughout the whole iPhone 15 lineup. The bezels of the iPhone 15 Pro models could be substantially slimmer than their predecessors, but the standard iPhone 15 models may not see as great of a reduction.
The iPhone 15 series is also reported to be replacing physical volume buttons in favour of solid-state buttons that rely on haptics, and even the mute toggle may be going away for a solid-state button as well.
iPhone 15 Ultra
Other speculations swirling about the iPhone 15 involve a fresh new iPhone 15 Ultra, which may or may not be the same as the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
But this would involve more than simply a name change. The iPhone 15 Ultra is reported to have a titanium body instead of stainless steel, which would be more lightweight and durable. This would also mean a higher starting price, too, with speculations estimating a starting price of $1200.
Another huge enhancement would be a periscope-style telephoto camera, which is reported to be available on the iPhone 15 Ultra or Pro Max model only. This would entail a higher level of optical zoom than what we now have, bringing the iPhone up to similar optical zoom ranges offered by competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Another camera improvement would be dual selfie cameras for greater bokeh effect on self-portrait shots. And although the rest of the iPhone 15 series receives USB-C, rumours claim the iPhone 15 Ultra could be completely portless, relying only on wireless charging.
Again, we’re not quite clear if the iPhone 15 Ultra is going to be a new device, or if it’s just going to be a better iPhone 15 Pro Max. But if these claimed upgrades are accurate, then it could be worthy of the high price tag.
Apple Watch Series 9
Another device that is on an annual release cycle, and comes out alongside the new iPhones, is the Apple Watch. This year, we can expect an Apple Watch Series 9, albeit if the Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 are any signs, we might not see any big enhancements. Last year, the main changes arrived in the form of the brand-new Apple Watch Ultra, which is a totally separate device. It would be lovely to see some of the Ultra capabilities trickle down to the ordinary Apple Watch Series 9, but we won’t hold our breath.
The rumour mill has been very sparse on the Apple Watch front, whether it’s the Series 9, a second-generation Ultra, or perhaps a more inexpensive SE model. While Apple has achieved some big strides on the non-intrusive blood glucose monitoring front, the tech for that may still be a ways off, so we might not see any new innovative health features in the Series 9. Still, we do have an Apple Watch Series 9 wishlist of things we hope to see … if we’re being hopeful.
iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini
Since Apple launched an updated iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro in 2022, and an iPad mini in 2021, there may not be much to expect this year in terms of big advancements. In fact, speculations say that Apple is shifting much of its effort on the mixed reality headset, which means less concentration on other items like the complete iPad portfolio.
However, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg thinks that there may be very tiny spec boosts for the entry-level iPad, iPad mini, and iPad Air this year if there are any new versions announced at all. But for big changes, that may not be until the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pros, which might be introduced in the first half of 2024.
