Apple Files Bluetooth 5.3 Listing Amid Rumors of New MacBook Air and Mac Pro

Apple this week filed a new listing in the Bluetooth Launch Studio database, a move that sometimes foreshadows the launch of new products. The filing does not mention any specific products, but it lists the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard and references a prior macOS-related listing, suggesting the filing could be related to upcoming Macs.

MacBook Air Multiple Sizes Feature
Apple is rumored to be planning new versions of the MacBook Air and the Mac Pro for release in the first half of 2023. The new MacBook Air is expected to feature a larger 15-inch display and the M2 chip, while the new Mac Pro is expected to have the same design as the 2019 model with a new M2 Ultra chip. Both new Macs could be announced as early as March or April, potentially alongside the release of macOS 13.3. However, there remains a possibility that the new Macs will not be announced until WWDC in June or later.

Bluetooth 5.3 offers benefits such as improved reliability and power efficiency, according to the Bluetooth SIG, the organization behind the standard. Apple has added Bluetooth 5.3 to several recent products, including the iPhone 14 series, the latest Apple Watch models, the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini, and more.

Apple typically goes back and adds new products to existing Bluetooth Launch Studio listings once they have launched. It's still unclear if Apple plans to hold a March or April press event this year or if new products would be announced via press releases.

Apple already updated the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip in July 2022, while the Mac Pro has not been updated since December 2019 and remains the last Intel-based Mac that Apple sells brand new. The new MacBook Air and Mac Pro could be the last models in the M2 series, as Apple is expected to transition to the M3 chip later in the year.

Related Roundups: Mac Pro, MacBook Air
Related Forums: Mac Pro, MacBook Air

Top Rated Comments

Joe Rossignol Avatar
4 weeks ago

m2max studio and m2ultra Mac Pro?

a 15" m2 air with the m3 coming later this year doesn't make sense.
I'm not a leaker, but it does seem likely the 15-inch MacBook Air will have the M2 chip. It's probably been in development since before TSMC began mass production of 3nm chips in December, and that ramp up takes time anyways. It's definitely odd that Apple is evidently waiting like 9 months after the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip to follow up with a larger model, but it seems to be happening. Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned that this 15-inch MacBook might not have Air branding, so perhaps that is how Apple could get away with updating the MacBook Air with the M3 chip later this year. Or if this does end up being an Air, maybe the MacBook Air lineup is not getting the M3 chip until 2024. Those are my best educated guesses about the situation and I could easily be wrong.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ? Avatar
4 weeks ago
I have a feeling we are not too far off to see the new 15" Macbook Air + Mac Pro. Hopefully new Spring Apple Event invites goes out within 2 weeks.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hovscorpion12 Avatar
4 weeks ago

I just can't see them launching the Mac Pro at a spring event, thats definitely a WWDC product. The potential market in the audience is so large that you would get so many credit cards pulled out for pre-orders.

The 15 inch MacBook Air is more likely, but even that would have been preferrably been a fall launch with M3. I would instead focus on at least upgrading the mid range Mac Studio models to M2 Max, make M1 Max be the new entry level and save M2 Ultra for Pro.
“Hi. This is Bank of America calling to confirm that $70,000 credit card transaction at Apple.”
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nicolas_s Avatar
4 weeks ago

I have a feeling we are not too far off to see the new 15" Macbook Air + Mac Pro. Hopefully new Spring Apple Event invites goes out within 2 weeks.
Can't wait for the 15-inch MacBook Air in Midnight!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
4 weeks ago

WWDC is a software event. There is no reason to announce hardware at this event unless it has major software development significance, and an overdue Mac Pro has no relevance there. They can launch that at any time. And you are not going to see M3 Macs any time soon. Definitely not this year. M3/A17 are the first 3nm chip out of TSMC which means low yields and low supply, barely enough to satisfy the A17 chip orders for iPhone 15 Pro. You'll be lucky to see M3 in the first half of 2024. The 15" MacBook Air is just a new size, and will ship with the M2.
WWDC 2017:

MacBook Pro's

iMacs


iMac Pro


WWDC 2019


WWDC 2013:


WWDC 2012 MacBook Pro retina:



WWDC 2022:


WWDC 2003:


Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pressure Avatar
4 weeks ago
I'm just here hoping they upgrade the Mac Studio to M2 Max and M2 Ultra first.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 16

iOS 16.4 for iPhone Nearing Launch With These 5 New Features

Monday March 20, 2023 11:50 am PDT by
Apple says iOS 16.4 is coming in the spring, which began this week. In his Sunday newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the update should be released "in the next three weeks or so," meaning a public release is likely in late March or early April. iOS 16.4 remains in beta testing and introduces a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone. Below, we have recapped five new features ...
iPhone 15 Pro Buttons CAD Leak

iPhone 15 Pro Leak Reveals Unified Volume Button and Mute Button

Monday March 20, 2023 8:33 am PDT by
As previously rumored, the next-generation iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a unified volume button and a mute button, according to leaked CAD images shared in a video on the Chinese version of TikTok and posted to Twitter by ShrimpApplePro. Instead of separate buttons for volume up and volume down, the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have a single elongated button for...
voice isolation

iOS 16.4 Adds Voice Isolation for Cellular Phone Calls

Tuesday March 21, 2023 11:01 am PDT by
The iOS 16.4 update that is set to be released to the public in the near future includes voice isolation for cellular calls, according to notes that Apple shared today. Apple says that Voice Isolation will prioritize your voice and block out the ambient noise around you, making for clearer phone calls where you can better hear the person you're chatting with and vice versa. Voice...
airpodsd 3 purple 4

iOS 16.4 Seemingly References New AirPods and AirPods Case

Tuesday March 21, 2023 11:43 am PDT by
The iOS 16.4 release candidate version that was provided to developers today appears to hint at a new set of AirPods that could be coming in the near future. According to @aaronp613, the beta features references to AirPods that have a model number of A3048 and an AirPods case with a model number of A2968. There have been no rumors that new AirPods are on the horizon, and it is early for...
maxresdefault

Nothing Launches $149 Ear (2) Wireless Earbuds to Compete With AirPods Pro 2

Wednesday March 22, 2023 9:48 am PDT by
Nothing today announced the launch of its second-generation wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear (2), which offer many of the same features as Apple's AirPods Pro 2 at a lower price point. We went hands-on with the Ear (2) earbuds to see whether they're a viable alternative to the AirPods Pro 2 for those who want to save some cash. The Ear (2) earbuds are the successor to the Nothing Ear (1),...
iOS 16

Apple Seeds Release Candidate Versions of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 to Developers [Update: Public RC Available]

Tuesday March 21, 2023 10:25 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the fourth betas. The RCs mark the final version of the software that will be provided to the public in the near future. Registered developers are able to download the iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates...
apple park at night 1

Apple 'Tracking Employee Attendance' in Crackdown on Remote Working

Thursday March 23, 2023 3:41 am PDT by
Apple is tracking the attendance of its employees at offices using badge records in order to ensure they are coming in at least three times a week, according to Platformer's Zoë Schiffer. Since April 2022, Apple employees have been operating on a hybrid home/office work policy as part of a gradual return strategy following the pandemic, with staff required to work from the office at least...
iphone 14 pro max deep purple feature purple

iPhone 15 Pro Rumor Recap: 10 New Features and Changes to Expect

Thursday March 23, 2023 6:42 am PDT by
While the iPhone 15 series is still around six months away from launching, there have already been plenty of rumors about the devices. Many new features and changes have been rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in particular. Below, we have recapped 10 changes rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models that are not expected to be available on the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus:A1...