Top 5 Apple Devices Overdue an Update

Several Apple devices are now over 18 months old, and with new hardware that could bring valuable improvements to them on the horizon, much of it already existing in other devices, there are five important products that seem to be overdue an update.

Top 5 Apple Devices Overdue and Update Feature 1
While some devices like the Pro Display XDR and HomePod mini are arguably also due an update, there are at least five main Apple devices that appear to be overdue a refresh – where a new model could yield substantial improvements. Likewise, as time goes by, it becomes increasingly difficult for Apple to justify leaving these devices in its product lineup without a hardware update.

Be sure to refer to the MacRumors Buyer's Guide for constant updates on the age and status of all Apple's released products, as well as when updates can reasonably be expected on the basis of when new models came out in previous years.

5. iMac

Current model released April 2021 (one year and seven months old).

Though there is some contention around whether Apple will reintroduce a larger iMac model, the current model with a 24-inch display features the M1 chip – meaning that it is outdated compared to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, redesigned MacBook Air, and iPad Pro. Apple announced the M2 chip in early June this year at WWDC, and since three different devices now contain the chip, the iMac is ripe for a chip upgrade.

m1 imac
Yet reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggest that an ‌iMac‌ with the M2 chip is not on the horizon. Following the ‌M2‌ series of Macs, Gurman said a new ‌iMac‌ will be among the first M3 series of Macs, which will include an updated 13-inch ‌MacBook Air‌, an all-new 15-inch ‌MacBook Air‌, and potentially a new 12-inch notebook that is "still in early development."

The M3 chip is expected to be built on TSMC's 3nm technology, unlike the ‌M1‌ and ‌M2‌, which are built using a 5nm process. The more advanced manufacturing process is expected to bring significant performance and efficiency improvements.

The device is expected to be the successor to the current ‌M1‌ ‌iMac‌ and may not launch until late 2023 at the earliest, according to Gurman, meaning that it may yet be some time before a new ‌iMac‌ emerges. It is not clear why Apple would exclude the ‌iMac‌ from the ‌M2‌ chip and wait until the M3 chip is available, especially since this means that the current ‌M1‌ model would be around for a considerable amount of time.

4. AirPods Max

Current model released December 2020 (one year and 11 months old).

Launched almost two years ago, the AirPods Max are the oldest AirPods still in Apple's product lineup. Despite being the most expensive AirPods at $549, the ‌AirPods Max‌ miss out on a large number of features that came to the second-generation AirPods Pro earlier this year.

airpods max flat
With the H2 chips, significantly improved Active Noise Cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, Adaptive Transparency, skin-detect sensors, the U1 chip, and Precision Finding, there are a plethora of notable features that are yet to come to the ‌AirPods Max‌. The headphones could also benefit from a refreshed selection of color options, MagSafe or USB-C charging, Conversation Boost, and sweat and water resistance.

The status of the next-generation ‌AirPods Max‌ is not clear at the present time. In May 2021, Gurman said that Apple was not actively working on second-generation AirPods Max, but it is not known if this is still the case. Seeing as Apple seems to launch one new AirPods product per year, the ‌AirPods Max‌ could be next up for a refresh.

3. Entry-Level Mac Mini

Current model released November 2020 (two years old).

The ‌M1‌ Mac mini is the oldest latest-generation Apple silicon Mac, and, much like the 24-inch ‌iMac‌, it could benefit from an upgrade to the ‌M2‌ chip.

m1 mac mini
Even though adding an ‌M2‌ chip to the ‌Mac mini‌ would presumably require limited internal changes, Apple has thus far neglected to do so. Reports earlier this year suggested that Apple originally "had plans" to introduce new ‌Mac mini‌ models in 2022, but these arrangements were "probably scrapped" in favor of the all-new Mac Studio. A new ‌Mac mini‌ with the ‌M2‌ chip is purportedly still in the works for launch sometime in 2023.

2. Mac Pro

Current model released December 2019 (two years and 11 months old).

The Mac Pro is one of the last Intel-based Mac models still on sale and the only remaining Mac product line with no Apple silicon chip options. An all-new model that finally brings Apple silicon to the company's top-tier Mac aimed professionals has now been anticipated for over two years. At its "Peek Performance" event earlier this year, Apple even directly teased the launch of the Apple silicon Mac Pro, saying "that's for another day."

mac pro tower close up
Previously, reports about a smaller Mac Pro model placed somewhere between the ‌Mac mini‌ and the ‌Mac Pro‌ made it difficult to know what to expect from the future of the high-end ‌Mac Pro‌ line, but it is now clear many of these rumors related to the Mac Studio, somewhat clarifying what can be expected from the next-generation ‌Mac Pro‌.

Multiple reports from Bloomberg's ‌Mark Gurman‌ about the Apple silicon ‌Mac Pro‌'s chip options and specifications provide a fairly straightforward picture of what to expect from the new flagship Mac. According to Gurman, users will reportedly be able to configure the new ‌Mac Pro‌ with "‌M2‌ Ultra" and "M2 Extreme" chip options.

Yet beyond its basic specifications, little is currently known about the device's design, ports, performance, and potential for modularity and customization, in real terms. Apple is expected to introduce the Apple silicon ‌Mac Pro‌ next year, and it could come alongside a "Pro" version of the Studio Display with a mini-LED panel and support for ProMotion.

1. Intel Mac Mini

Current model released October 2018 (four years and one month old).

While the ‌M1‌ ‌Mac mini‌ offers an entry-level model in the lineup, the high-end ‌Mac mini‌ still features an Intel processor. The high-end ‌Mac mini‌ was theoretically refreshed in 2020 when Apple doubled the storage on the device, but it is otherwise identical to the 2018 Space Gray unibody model.

2018macminifront
Apple has been believed to be working on a new Mac mini for some time. The potential of replacing the older high-end model with an Apple silicon machine was previously at the center of rumors related to new Mac minis, but now it looks like both the entry-level and the high-end model may be refreshed simultaneously. Apple is believed to be working on two versions of the next-generation ‌Mac mini‌, one with the standard "M2" chip and a second higher-end model with the "M2 Pro" chip.

A new high-end ‌Mac mini‌ with Apple silicon could get massive performance and efficiency benefits compared to the current model, and feature more Thunderbolt ports than the entry-level model. There is also the potential of a redesign. As a machine from over two years before Apple began the transition to its own custom silicon chips in the Mac, and two years since the entry-level ‌Mac mini‌ was refreshed, the high-end ‌Mac mini‌ seems to be the Apple device that is most sorely in need of a hardware refresh.

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in a Few Months With These 12 New Features

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:00 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are around three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Friday June 27, 2025 9:52 am PDT by
Apple last month announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. There was news this week about which automakers will and won't offer CarPlay Ultra, and we have provided an updated list below. CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot...
apple watch ultra 2 new black

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally Coming After Two-Year Hiatus

Tuesday June 24, 2025 3:40 am PDT by
Apple will finally deliver the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sometime this year, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve). The analyst expects both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to arrive this year (likely alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup, if previous launches are anything to go by), according to his latest product roadmap shared with...

Top Rated Comments

xxray Avatar
34 months ago
Hopefully, Apple doesn’t update anything so I don’t spend anymore money. ?
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dantracht Avatar
34 months ago
Agree with all of the above. Waiting eagerly for an M2 Mini.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dlondon Avatar
34 months ago

The Intel Mac mini is end of life. There will be no refresh

Apple is done with Intel
I think the article means a replacement for the Intel Mac mini (high end model) with an Apple Silicon equivalent.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
seanmills1020 Avatar
34 months ago
TWO WORDS: iPod Shuffle
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eldaerenth Faexidor Avatar
34 months ago
APM2 would be an instant buy for me.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MayaUser Avatar
34 months ago
still the bigger imac and intel mac mini are due to an upgrade more than anything else
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)