Apple's 2023 Roadmap: When to Expect New Product Launches This Year

Apple is reportedly planning to launch at least 10 Apple devices this year, with new product releases seemingly planned for each quarter of the year.

imac 2021 box feature
After months of rumors about many of Apple's upcoming devices, we have gathered information from a range of sources to provide a tentative roadmap for the company's launch plans this year. The below time frames are based on information from reliable sources like Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and display analyst Ross Young – all of whom have very good track records in providing accurate insights into Apple's plans.

First Half of 2023

Naturally, there is more specific information about Apple's plans for the first half of 2023 since these devices are much further along in their development cycle. The fourth quarter of 2022 was the first time in 22 years that Apple did not release new Macs, and with many of the Macs in Apple's lineup now in desperate need of an update, the first half of 2023 looks to be a Mac-heavy period for new products.

First Quarter

According to one report coming out of Asia, Apple is planning to release updated 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models specifically around March, but other sources have been reluctant to narrow down a more specific time frame for the new machines. Since these devices have been expected to launch since the fourth quarter of 2022, the new MacBook Pros seem like the devices most likely timetabled for early this year. That being said, a recent report from DigiTimes cautioned that there could be a further delay.

It is worth noting that upon the launch of the ‌M2‌ Max MacBook Pro and the ‌M2‌ Ultra ‌Mac Pro‌ later this year, the current Mac Studio will contain outdated chip hardware and, logically, should also see a refresh – though we haven't heard concrete rumors about such an update to date.

There is also a chance that a new HomePod mini could accompany the revival of the full-size HomePod, likely with a newer chip.

Second Quarter

Entering mass production in the first quarter of 2023, an all-new 15.5-inch MacBook Air model is the only device that we are aware of on the cards for the second quarter, falling between May and August. This timing could suggest a launch that falls around WWDC, which Apple usually holds in early June.

Second Half of 2023

Less is known about the exact timing of Apple's releases for the second half of 2023, but it could shape up to be a crucial period for the company with the launch of an entirely new device category. The two devices placed indeterminately in the second half of the year are as follows:

It is vital to note that Apple's headset is still expected to enter mass production in the first half of 2023, so only the actual launch of the device is rumored for the second half of the year. This means that Apple's headset could still be announced sooner rather than later in the first half of the year, but more specific timing is still difficult to pin down.

Bloomberg's ‌Mark Gurman‌ says that Apple's current plan is to announce the headset during an event in the spring, before the WWDC in June. Developers will then be introduced to its operating system, xrOS, at WWDC, before shipping the product sometime in the fall.

Likewise, little is known about the next-generation AirPods Max, but they are expected to launch by 2024 with USB-C, and could launch sometime in the second half of 2023 if trends established by the launch other AirPods launches continue to be followed. Kuo recently claimed that the new ‌AirPods Max‌ may not emerge until the second half of 2024, so a launch this year may now be unlikely.

Third Quarter

Apple's third-quarter releases are almost always the most predicable launches of the company's calendar, and 2023 is highly likely to mirror previous years with the launch of new iPhone and Apple Watch models in September.

With the ‌Apple Watch Series 9‌ being likely to get the first Apple Watch chip upgrade since the Series 5, the Apple Watch Ultra could also get a 2023 refresh with a new chip.

Fourth Quarter

Other than 2022, Apple released new Macs in the fourth quarter of the year every year since 2001 – so Mac releases around this time of year are generally to be expected. While it is among the less firm rumors for this year, the fourth quarter of 2023 could be dominated by the ‌iMac‌, with two new models – one succeeding the 24-inch ‌iMac‌ with the M1 chip from 2021 and one reviving the position of high-end all-in-one held by the ‌iMac‌ Pro between 2017 and 2021.

It is also worth mentioning that there are concrete rumors about any iPad refreshes for 2023 other than the iPad mini – so it could be quite some time before there multiple new tablets from Apple. Even the ‌iPad mini‌ could be pushed to early 2024, according to ‌Ming-Chi Kuo‌. Nevertheless, Gurman says that minor spec bumps for the iPad Air and entry-level ‌iPad‌ are possible for 2023.

At this early stage, the launch timing of Apple's new products for the year is still subject to change. Time frames will solidify throughout the year as announcement dates get locked in and we're likely to have a good idea of when to expect new devices as even more rumors emerge.

Top Rated Comments

mystery hill Avatar
10 months ago
Bring back the inverted-T arrow layout to the external Magic Keyboard when switching from Lightning to USB-C.



Attachment Image
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Schizoid Avatar
10 months ago
An iMac with a sensible amount of storage, that would be a start
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DHagan4755 Avatar
10 months ago
M3 Pro/M3 Max this year seems doubtful — for an iMac no less — especially if we're getting the MacBook Pro with M2 Pro/Max in March.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StrangeNoises Avatar
10 months ago
no M2 spec-bump for 24" iMac this spring (ie: when it's two years old)? if that's a sure thing I might even get the M1 one now that I'm vacillating over.

MacBook Air *not* being the first M3?

I actually hope there's no "iMac Pro" return. high-spec iMacs were a blight on the lineup for many years. (Computers and monitors have different product cycles, one will obsolete years before the other.) the 24" iMac is exactly the right spot for that form-factor. More Mac Studios and more monitor options (including better 3rd party competition as we're seem to be starting to see?) please.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
azentropy Avatar
10 months ago
An iMac Pro makes very little sense now the Apple Studio and Studio Display available. It is a significantly better value than the iMac Pro ever was which was just a stop gap.
Maybe a larger than 24" iMac with a Pro processor option, but not an actual iMac Pro (with Max or Ultra or Extreme processors).
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleTO Avatar
10 months ago
I’d like the 15” MacBook Air, but I’m having hard time believing that one.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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