Apple Teases Exciting Week of Announcements, But Certain Updates Won't Be Included

Apple has hinted at a week of exciting announcements beginning Monday, with new Mac models expected to feature prominently. However, there are certain products on Apple’s roadmap that will not be part of these announcements. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect later and what will be missing from the week’s events:

M4 MacBook Air
Apple launched updated 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with the M3 chip in March 2024. Production of the M4 versions will begin soon, targeting an early 2025 release. Design changes are not expected, and the focus will remain on incorporating the M4 chip. These new models are expected between January and March 2025.

M4 Mac Studio
Apple plans to refresh the Mac Studio following the release of the M4 MacBook Air in early 2025. The new Mac Studio will include a variant of the M4 processor, possibly an M4 Ultra or Max chip. Although initially set to release alongside the M4 MacBook Air, the Mac Studio refresh has been moved to between March and June 2025.

M4 Mac Pro
The Mac Pro, last updated in June 2023 with the M2 Ultra chip, will see another update in summer 2025. Apple’s M4 version will feature the highest-end chip in the series, potentially an “Ultra” or “Extreme” variant, codenamed “Hidra.” This update is expected to support up to 512GB of memory, an increase from the current 192GB.

iPhone SE 4
The fourth-generation iPhone SE is anticipated to arrive in March or April 2025. Featuring a similar design to the iPhone 14, it will include a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a newer A-series chip, USB-C port, 48MP rear camera, 8GB RAM for AI support, and an Apple-designed 5G modem. Mass production is set to start in December 2024.

iPad
Following recent updates to the iPad Air, iPad Pro, and the new iPad mini 7, the entry-level iPad remains the next candidate for an upgrade. However, this update is scheduled for late 2025, with a focus on adding AI capabilities to this budget model. This gap since the last update in October 2022 likely reflects the technical challenges of adding AI functions to a $349 device.

AirPods Pro 3
Though Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 continue to lead the wireless earbud market, they aren’t slated for a refresh until 2025. The new AirPods Pro model will offer a fresh design, faster chip, and new hearing health features, according to sources familiar with the product’s roadmap.

With an eventful week on the horizon, these updates illustrate Apple’s strategy for pacing product releases into 2025.