Like clockwork, the tech world turns its eyes to Cupertino every September for the new iPhone. But seasoned Apple observers know that some of the company’s most exciting hardware announcements often happen quietly in the spring.
While the revolutionary Vision Pro has dominated recent headlines, Apple’s core product lines have been quietly gearing up for significant refreshes. Based on supply chain whispers, analyst reports, and historical release patterns, the first half of 2024 is shaping up to be busy.
If you are holding onto your wallet waiting for the next big thing, you might not have to wait much longer. Here are four new Apple products rumored to be arriving sooner than you think.
1. The OLED iPad Pro Revolution (M3)
The iPad Pro has been stagnant design-wise for a few years, but that is expected to change dramatically this spring. The rumor mill is near-unanimous: the next iPad Pro is getting the biggest display upgrade in its history.
What to Expect:
The headline feature is the switch from Mini-LED to OLED display technology for both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models. OLED offers deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast ratios than current iPad screens. Furthermore, OLED panels are thinner and require fewer layers than LCDs, potentially leading to a significantly slimmer chassis design.
Naturally, these new Pros will likely be powered by the newest M3 chip, bringing the same 3-nanometer efficiency and graphical prowess seen in the latest MacBook Pros.
Why It’s Coming Soon:
High-end iPad updates frequently occur in the spring window (March–May). With the M3 chip already in the wild, the iPad Pro is due for its injection of power to match its “Pro” moniker.
2. A Supersized iPad Air (12.9-inch model)
For years, if you wanted the largest possible iPad screen, you had to pay the premium price for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Apple appears ready to democratize that screen size.
What to Expect:
Rumors indicate Apple is preparing to split the iPad Air line into two sizes for the first time. You will likely see the standard 10.9-inch model refreshed, alongside an all-new 12.9-inch iPad Air.
This larger Air will likely stick to standard LCD screen technology (not the fancy new OLED mentioned above) and lack features like ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate) to keep costs down. It will likely run on the M2 or potentially the new M3 chip.
Why It’s Coming Soon:
This move mirrors Apple’s strategy with the MacBook Air, offering a larger screen size (the 15-inch Air) without forcing users to buy Pro-level specs they don’t need. It makes sense to launch this alongside the redesigned Pro models to offer a clear “good, better, best” lineup to consumers.
3. The MacBook Air Gets the M3 Treatment
The MacBook Air is arguably Apple’s most important computer—it’s the gateway laptop for students and professionals alike. While the 15-inch model is relatively new, the silicon inside both Air sizes is already a generation behind.
What to Expect:
This is a straightforward spec bump, but a significant one. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models are expected to receive the M3 chip.
While the external design will likely remain the same, the M3 chip brings vastly improved GPU performance, including hardware-accelerated ray tracing. This update will make the fanless MacBook Air a surprisingly capable machine for light gaming and heavier creative workloads, all while maintaining industry-leading battery life.
Why It’s Coming Soon:
The M3 chip debuted in late 2023 in the iMac and MacBook Pro. Leaving the company’s most popular laptop on the older M2 architecture for too long doesn’t make sense. A spring refresh puts the Air back on the cutting edge before the back-to-school season heats up.
4. AirPods 4: Cleaning Up the Lineup
Apple’s current AirPods lineup is confusing. You have the older Gen 2 design sitting alongside the newer Gen 3 design, with overlapping price points and features. Apple is reportedly planning to fix this clutter in 2024.
What to Expect:
According to reputable insiders like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the “AirPods 4” won’t be a single product, but two models designed to entirely replace both the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.
Both new models are expected to feature a hybrid design—looking like a cross between the AirPods 3 and the AirPods Pro—and finally adopt USB-C charging cases. The crucial difference? The higher-tier version of these standard AirPods is rumored to finally get Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a feature previously reserved only for the Pro model.
Why It’s Coming Soon:
The AirPods lineup is due for a simplification. While audio products sometimes launch later in the year alongside iPhones, cleaning up the lower end of the audio tier during a quiet spring period would set the stage for a potential AirPods Pro refresh later in 2025.
When Can We Expect These?
Apple has a long history of holding events or releasing products via press release in March or April.
While nothing is official until Tim Cook takes the virtual stage, the supply chain smoke is getting thicker. If you are planning on buying a new iPad or a MacBook Air, it is highly recommended that you wait a few more weeks to see what Cupertino has in store.