Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has teased a return of Fortnite to iOS in 2023, nearly three years after the best-selling game was removed from the App Store for violating platform rules, marking the start of a contentious and high-profile legal battle.
In a tweet to celebrate the new year, Sweeney said, "Next year on iOS!" followed by an image of a Fortnite character looking up at fireworks that spell out 2023. Apple is reportedly planning to allow sideloading and alternative app stores with iOS 17 next year, in order to comply with the newly passed DMA (Digital Markets Act) law in Europe. Under the law and its implementations, Epic Games could, in theory, bring Fortnite back to iOS, just not through the App Store.
Fortnite was removed from the App Store in August 2020 after Epic Games included a direct payment option in the game that circumvented Apple's in-app purchasing system, violating App Store rules. Apple ultimately removed Fortnite from the App Store, placing the blame directly on Epic for violating its rules. A statement from Apple at the time:
Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate step of violating the App Store guidelines that are applied equally to every developer and designed to keep the store safe for our users. As a result their Fortnite app has been removed from the store. Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines regarding in-app payments that apply to every developer who sells digital goods or services.
Epic has had apps on the App Store for a decade, and have benefited from the App Store ecosystem - including its tools, testing, and distribution that Apple provides to all developers. Epic agreed to the App Store terms and guidelines freely and we're glad they've built such a successful business on the App Store. The fact that their business interests now lead them to push for a special arrangement does not change the fact that these guidelines create a level playing field for all developers and make the store safe for all users. We will make every effort to work with Epic to resolve these violations so they can return Fortnite to the App Store.
The removal of Fortnite from the App Store caused Epic Games to file a lawsuit against the Cupertino tech giant. "We're fighting for open platforms and policy changes equally benefiting all developers. And it'll be a hell of a fight!" Sweeney said at the time.
Three years later, both Epic Games and Apple are now appealing a court decision made in September 2021 that would have required Apple to allow developers to add in-app links to outside websites, paving the way for alternate payment options that do not require developers to use the in-app purchase system.
Epic Games claims Apple's control over iOS and the App Store is anti-competitive and that alternative app stores should be allowed on the iPhone. Apple, on the other hand, believes the App Store remains the safest and most trusted way for developers to target users and users to explore apps. Sweeney has previously called the App Store a "disservice to developers."
For a full roundup of events and the latest developments of the high-profile case, see our guide.
Apple is increasing the price of out-of-warranty battery replacements for all iPhone models older than the iPhone 14 later this year, the company announced on its website (via Reddit). Apple is also increasing prices of iPad and Mac battery replacement.
Apple says starting March 1, 2023, the price of out-of-warranty battery replacements for all models of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 series, as well as older iPhone models, will increase by $20. Currently, Apple charges $69 for a battery replacement on most iPhone models, according to an estimation calculator on the company's website.
The price increase will only impact customers who do not have AppleCare or AppleCare+ for their devices. With AppleCare+, customers pay $0 for a battery replacement once their battery health has decreased past 80%.
Update: Apple is also increasing the price of out-of-warranty battery replacements for Mac and the iPad. MacBook Air battery replacement will increase by $30 and MacBook Pro battery prices by $50. Newer iPad models will see their prices increase by $20. These price changes will be effective March 1, 2023.
While 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for new Apple devices, there are at least six new products we are actively not expecting the company to launch this year.
Certain devices across many of Apple's key product lines, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and AirPods, are expected to remain untouched in 2023, with little to no risk of being replaced by a successor. While it is likely that a large number of Apple devices now on sale will remain so through the entirety of the year, only some can be firmly counted out for this year at the current time.
Third-Generation AirPods Pro
A third-generation version of the AirPods Pro is highly unlikely to launch in this year owing to the relatively recent launch of the second-generation model.
The second-generation AirPods Pro launched in September last year, offering a major update with active noise cancellation enhancements, Adaptive Transparency mode, H2 chips, battery life improvements, touch volume controls, improved battery life, IPX4 sweat and water resistance, Apple Watch charger compatibility, the U1 chip for precision finding, and more. The scale of this update suggests that it could be some time before a sufficient number of further upgrades are ready for a third-generation model.
The second-generation AirPods Pro came 35 months after the launch of the previous generation, which also suggests that it could be a long while before a third-generation model arrives. Likewise, Apple appears to focus on refreshing just one AirPods model each year, and the AirPods Max are next up for a refresh, followed by the standard AirPods. This means that third-generation AirPods Pro may not arrive until 2025.
Fourth-Generation iPhone SE
There have been a multitude of rumors about the fourth-generation iPhone SE, even predating the launch of the current, third-generation model that launched in early 2022 – yet it increasingly looks like the device is off the cards for this year and may even have been canceled entirely.
The current iPhone SE contains the A15 Bionic chip – something it shares with the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPad mini, and third-generation Apple TV 4K. The iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Plus are all highly likely to remain in Apple's product lineup this year, even after the launch of iPhone 15 models in the fall. This means that the current iPhone SE will retain relatively modern hardware throughout the entire year, making it less necessary for Apple to refresh the device.
Apple also seems to leave two to three years inbetween iPhone SE models, rendering an update this year less likely. Reports about the device have also been fairly consistent that the next iPhone SE was scheduled to arrive in 2024, rather than this year.
More strikingly, rumors around the device have recently cast skepticism on the device launching at all. In October, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said there was no sign of an iPhone SE with a Touch ID side button actually in the pipeline. In December, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the company had now canceled or postponed the release of the fourth-generation iPhone SE due to consistently lower than expected shipments of middle tier and lower-end smartphones like the third-generation iPhone SE, the iPhone 13 mini, and the iPhone 14 Plus.
Seventh-Generation iPad Pro
The next-generation iPad Pro models are the most-rumored upcoming iPad, but they look very unlikely to launch this year. The current 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models were released in October 2022, adding the M2 chip, Apple Pencil hover, Smart HDR 4, Wi‑Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 – another minor refresh like the fifth-generation iPad Air.
With the current- and previous-generation iPad Pro models featuring M-series chips, and the 2022 refresh making the leap to the M2 chip, the M3 chip is the most likely chip to be included in the next-generation iPad Pro. The M3 chip is expected to be manufactured using TSMC's 3nm process, bringing the biggest performance and efficiency boost to Apple's chips in several years. The first Apple devices with M3 chips are not likely to appear until the second half of 2023, which seemingly rules out a new iPad Pro anytime soon.
Moreover, the main feature rumored for the next-generation iPad Pro is OLED displays – an upgrade that has been rumored for over a year. Dozens of reports from multiple sources are consistent that iPad Pro models with OLED displays are scheduled to launch in 2024, rather than this year. The OLED displays Apple is planning to use will reportedly be more durable and enable thinner and more lightweight device designs, and they could have slimmer bezels with the display size options increasing from 11- to 11.1-inches and 12.9- to 13-inches.
The one thing that is clear about the next major iPad Pro update according to rumors is that it will not launch in 2023, meaning that any new iPad Pro models this year seem very unlikely. Apple waited over 18 months between the 2021 and 2022 iPad Pros, and if a similar timeline was followed again, the next-generation iPad Pro would launch in May 2024.
Fourth-Generation Apple TV 4K
Like the AirPods Pro, the Apple TV 4K recently received a fairly significant refresh in 2022. The third-generation Apple TV 4K added the A15 Bionic chip, a new design, support for HDR10+ content, twice as much storage, and a USB-C port on the Siri Remote. As a significant update late in 2022, another update in 2023 seems unlikely.
Like the iPhone SE, the Apple TV now contains the A15 Bionic – a chip that is likely to remain prevalent across a range of Apple devices through 2023, meaning that a further chip upgrade this year seems highly unlikely. It is also not clear what else Apple could bring to the Apple TV at this time to offer a meaningful upgrade, and the lineup seems to be in a strong position with two models at lower price points of $129 and $149.
No immediate successor to the current Apple TV has been rumored for 2023, but there have been reports about a combined Apple TV and HomePod device for some time. This device does not seem to be nailed down for a launch date this year.
13-Inch MacBook Air
There is a slim chance of a MacBook Air refresh that adds the M3 chip in the latter half of 2023, but this seems unlikely given that Apple is rumored to have plans to launch a 15.2-inch MacBook Air with the M2 and M2 Pro chips around mid-2023.
It seems improbable that Apple would want to introduce a more powerful, smaller MacBook Air model just months after it launched a larger model with the M2 chip, so a new 13-inch MacBook Air may not launch this year at all. Supporting this, there have been no concrete rumors about Apple launching a MacBook Air with the M3 chip in 2023.
Some of the most reliably insightful sources in the rumor community, including Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, and Ross Young, have all said that a 15-inch MacBook Air model is coming this year – and this appears to be the focus of MacBook Air rumors in 2023.
Apple Car
Apple has been rumored to be working on its own electric vehicle for many years at this point, and while the project is seemingly increasingly developed and focused, the car is not expected to emerge publicly this year.
There have been hundreds of well-sourced reports about Apple's car plans, but the latest information from Bloomberg suggests that the company recently scaled back its plans and dropped its proposed $120,000 price point, eliminating ambitions for a full self-driving vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals.
Now, the car is expected to have a much more conventional design with limited self-driving capabilities, for a price under $100,000. The car is now expected to launch in 2026 at the earliest, but it could be announced sometime in 2025.
2023 is upon us and it will be another busy year for iPhone software. While details about iOS 17 remain slim, Apple has previously announced several features that will be available this year as part of upcoming updates like iOS 16.3 and iOS 16.4.
Below, we have recapped seven iOS features that are expected to launch or expand to additional countries in 2023, such as an Apple Pay Later financing option and an Apple Card savings account that will allow for interest to be earned on Daily Cash.
Web Push Notifications
Apple said iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 will add opt-in support for web-based push notifications in 2023. This feature will allow iPhone and iPad users to receive notifications from websites through Safari, just like notifications sent from apps.
Apple Pay Later
Announced at WWDC 2022 last June, Apple Pay Later is a financing feature that will let qualifying customers in the U.S. split a purchase into four equal payments over six weeks, with no interest or fees to pay. The feature will be built into the Wallet app and will be available for purchases online and in apps on the iPhone and iPad.
Apple says the feature is coming in a future software update for qualifying applicants in the U.S. and may not be available in all states. Apple Pay Later is not available with iOS 16.2 and is not present in the first beta of iOS 16.3. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that the feature might launch with iOS 16.4 this year.
Security Keys for Apple ID
The first iOS 16.3 beta enables a new Security Keys for Apple ID feature that Apple said will be available globally in early 2023. The feature gives users the option to use hardware security keys to further protect their account. For users who enable this feature, Security Keys strengthens Apple's two-factor authentication by requiring a hardware security key as one of the two factors instead of a verification code from another Apple device.
Apple does not plan to release its own hardware security keys. The feature will rely on third-party security keys available from brands like Yubico.
Apple Card Savings Account
In October, Apple announced that Apple Card users would "soon" be able to open a new high-yield savings account from Goldman Sachs and have their Daily Cash cashback rewards automatically deposited into it, with no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements. The account would be managed through the Wallet app on the iPhone.
Once the account is set up, all Daily Cash received from that point on would be automatically deposited into it and start earning interest, unless a user opts to continue having Daily Cash added to their Apple Cash balance. Apple Card provides 2-3% Daily Cash on purchases made with Apple Pay and 1% on purchases made with the physical card.
At WWDC 2022, Apple previewed the next generation of its iPhone-based software platform CarPlay, which will feature support for multiple displays, widgets, and integration with vehicle functions like the instrument cluster, climate controls, and FM radio.
Apple says the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience will be announced in late 2023, with committed automakers including Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Volvo, and others. Apple plans to share additional details about the next generation of CarPlay later this year.
Advanced Data Protection in More Countries
Apple recently introduced an optional Advanced Data Protection feature that expands end-to-end encryption to many additional areas of iCloud when enabled, including iCloud Backups, Photos, Notes, Reminders, Voice Memos, and more. The feature was added in iOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, and other recent software updates for U.S. users only and will start rolling out to the rest of the world in early 2023, according to Apple.
It's unclear exactly when Advanced Data Protection will be available in additional countries, but given Apple's early 2023 timeframe, it's possible that the feature will be expanded to more iPhone users with iOS 16.3 or iOS 16.4.
Emergency SOS via Satellite in More Countries
Apple last month announced that the iPhone 14's life-saving Emergency SOS via Satellite feature will be supported in additional countries next year. However, Apple did not provide a list of countries where the feature will be expanding to next.
Emergency SOS via Satellite first launched in November in the U.S. and Canada and requires an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max running iOS 16.1 or later. The service became available in France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK last month, with iOS 16.2 or later required for some local emergency service numbers.
The feature allows iPhone 14 users to send text messages to emergency services via satellite when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. The service is free for two years starting at the time of activation of an iPhone 14 model.
On Friday, we shared a What to Expect Guide that highlights everything we're expecting to see from Apple in 2023, based on current product rumors and historical release data.
We're counting on the release of the mixed reality headset that Apple has been working on for years now, along with the Apple silicon Mac Pro and a number of other refreshed Macs. There's an iPhone 15 with a USB-C port in the works, and we could get new HomePod and AirPods Max refreshes.
We know what we think we're going to be seeing from Apple in 2023, but we want to hear opinions and wishlists from the MacRumors community. What do you want to see Apple release this year?
Are there new iPhone features you're hoping for, or something new in iOS 17 or macOS 14? What are you wanting to see from Apple's AR/VR headset?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and take a look at our What to Expect guide to see an overview of the current rumors. We'll learn a lot more about Apple's 2023 product plans in the coming months, and we'll have in-depth coverage of the rumors here at MacRumors.com.
If you want to discuss Apple's upcoming products and rumors, our MacRumors forums are an excellent resource, plus they're a great place to get help on current Apple products and software options.
As always, thank you to our readers and forum members for making MacRumors the number one source for Apple news, rumors, and advice. MacRumors celebrated its 22nd birthday this year, and that's thanks to our dedicated readers. We are looking forward to another year of rumors in 2023. Happy New Year!
In August 2021, Apple announced it had acquired classical music service Primephonic. At the time, Apple said it planned to release a dedicated classical music app in 2022, but the year has now ended without the app launching.
"Apple Music plans to launch a dedicated classical music app next year combining Primephonic's classical user interface that fans have grown to love with more added features," said an Apple Newsroom press release in 2021. Apple has not publicly addressed the plans since, and it's unclear if the app will be released in 2023.
Primephonic shut down in September 2021, with subscribers at the time receiving six months of access to Apple Music for free. If it ever launches, the Apple Classical app would serve as a replacement for Primephonic, providing users with a destination for streaming classical music from the likes of Beethoven and Mozart.
Apple said it would incorporate the best features of Primephonic, including "better browsing and search capabilities by composer and by repertoire" and "detailed displays of classical music metadata," and it's possible that the company simply needs more time to work on this. Primephonic also compensated artists and other rights holders with a unique pay-per-second-listened model instead of a pay-per-play model like Apple Music, so perhaps Apple is still trying to figure out a suitable payout model for the Apple Classical app.
At this point, it's unclear if the Apple Classical app will be released at some point in 2023 or if the plans have been abandoned. We've reached out to Apple for comment on the situation and we'll update this story if we hear back.
The calendar has turned to January 1 and Apple has shut down popular weather app Dark Sky. The app had already been removed from the App Store in September and it stopped functioning for existing users starting today.
Apple acquired Dark Sky in March 2020 and it has since incorporated many of the app's features into the preinstalled Weather app on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Earlier this month, Apple shared a support document with information on how Dark Sky users can use the Weather app, which now offers "hyperlocal" forecasts, including next-hour precipitation, hourly forecasts for the next 10 days, high-resolution radar maps, and severe weather notifications.
To use Dark Sky features in the Weather app, your device must be updated to iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or macOS Ventura. Some of the features are currently only available in select countries, as outlined in a separate Apple support document.
Apple will also be shutting down Dark Sky's API for third-party weather apps on March 31, and introduced its own WeatherKit API as a replacement.
It's the final day of 2022, which means many Apple fans around the world are enjoying some newly unwrapped gifts while also looking forward to what's coming in 2023.
In addition to our roundup of expectations for 2023, this week also saw some more specific news and rumors about both current and future Apple products, so read on for all of the details and have a Happy New Year!
What to Expect From Apple in 2023: AR/VR Headset, iPhone 15 Pro, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro and More
By all indications, Apple is expected to have a busy year of hardware and software updates in 2023. From the long-rumored mixed-reality headset to USB-C iPhone models to an array of Macs, the list of updates is a lengthy one and we've summed all of it up in our annual preview guide.
On the software side, we'll of course be seeing iOS 17 and macOS 14 mid-year at WWDC, but even before that we'll be getting some new features. We've put together a list of five new iOS features set to launch or expand next year, including a security keys feature for Apple IDs, an Apple Card savings account option, Advanced Data Protection and Emergency SOS via Satellite in additional countries, and more.
Eight Useful Tips for New AirPods and AirPods Pro Owners
Introduced in September, the iPhone 14 Plus features a 6.7-inch display like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but lacks some higher-end features like ProMotion, the Dynamic Island, and a telephoto lens. The device effectively replaced the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini.
New iPad Mini Expected to Launch as Early as 2023
Apple is working on a new version of the iPad mini, with mass shipments expected to start towards the end of 2023 or in the first half of 2024, according to reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The current iPad mini was released in September 2021 and features an 8.3-inch display, A15 Bionic chip, USB-C port, Touch ID power button, 5G support on cellular models, and more. Pricing for the device starts at $499.
iPhone 14 Pro Faced 'Unprecedented' Setback Leading to Removal of New Graphics Processor
Apple planned a major update for the iPhone 14 Pro's graphics capabilities, but was forced to scrap plans for the new GPU late in development after "unprecedented" missteps were discovered, according to a report this week from The Information.
The report reveals how Apple's chip design team has been forced to contend with a loss of talent in recent years, with the company having lost dozens of key employees.
Apple Launching All-New CarPlay Experience in 2023 With These 5 Key Features
At WWDC 2022 in June, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like climate controls and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more.
Apple says the first vehicles with support for the new CarPlay experience will be announced in late 2023. Ahead of time, we've outlined five key features to expect.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
In 2023, Apple is expected to enter the head-worn wearable market, launching its AR/VR or "mixed" reality headset. With a new product coming, it's going to be an exciting year full of firsts and all the hype that comes with a new product category.
Much of the Mac lineup is due for a refresh, and we're expecting to see new MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Pro models, and the Mac Pro in particular is notable because it hasn't been updated since 2019. There will be refreshes of all the regular products like the Apple Watch and the iPhone, with the iPhone 15 models coming.
The major change to the iPhone 15 will be a swap over to USB-C, with Apple eliminating the Lightning port. Other features include periscope zoom technology for the iPhone 15 Pro (or Ultra), plus an A17 chip. We've outlined everything we know about all of the new products that are coming from Apple in 2023, based on current rumors.
Apple has been working on an AR/VR headset for more than five years now, and 2023 is the year when we're expecting the initial version to finally make an appearance. This will be the first new product category Apple has gotten into since the 2015 launch of the Apple Watch, and it will be Apple's second wearable.
Render created by Ian Zelbo based on rumored information
Like the Apple Watch, the first AR/VR headset will be expensive, available in smaller quantities, and could have limited utility. AR/VR refers to both augmented and virtual reality, a concept known as "mixed" reality. It combines virtual reality and augmented reality, overlaying virtual objects over the real world in some instances, though most rumors suggest it will focus heavily on virtual experiences.
The AR/VR headset could be named the Reality Pro or the Reality One, but final naming is not yet clear.
Design
Apple's AR/VR headset is expected to look like other VR headsets on the market, featuring a curved front display that covers the eyes. The display will sit against the face using a mesh material, and it will feature swappable and adjustable Apple Watch band-like straps. The headset is designed to be lightweight, and it is expected to be lighter than most headsets currently in the market to make it more comfortable to wear.
There could be physical controls and built-in audio capabilities, plus there will be multiple cameras to detect gestures, hand movements, eye movements, and the ambient environment.
Display
The mixed reality headset will include two high-resolution 4K micro OLED displays with up to 3,000 pixels per inch, and there is also rumored to be an external display that will offer exterior indicator information.
Capabilities
Apple is expected to add more than a dozen optical cameras to the headset for mapping the environment, monitoring the user, and projecting visual experiences. In virtual reality apps and games, the headset will be able to capture accurate facial movements, relaying them in video chats and other interactions.
Eight of the cameras will reportedly be used for see-through augmented reality experiences. For example, there will be cameras that are able to detect the people in the room and map surfaces and room dimensions, placing virtual objects in front of and behind real world objects for a seamless experience between the real and the virtual.
A pair of downward-facing cameras could capture leg movement for more accurate motion tracking. As for control, Apple will use eye-tracking, hand gestures, eye tracking, and there could be an attached device component, such as an input accessory worn on the fingers.
Iris scanning could be included as an authentication and security mechanism akin to Face ID and Touch ID. Inside, it will be equipped with Apple-designed chips that are on par with the chips used for the MacBook Air. It will include a high-end main processor along with a less powerful processor for managing the sensors.
Operating System and Functionality
The AR/VR headset will run an operating system that could be named xrOS, which stands for the extended reality concept that represents both the augmented and virtual reality functions of the device.
Apple is expected to create an App Store for the headset, with a focus on gaming, streaming video content, and communication. Apple could work with media partners to create content that can be watched in VR, and there could be a VR FaceTime experience with Animojis that mirror facial expressions.
Apple could also team up with game developers to create VR games for the headset, and it is expected to integrate heavily with existing services like Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade.
The headset has been in development for multiple years, and Apple has had to push the release date back several times now as it has worked to overcome design issues and disagreements over the direction of the project, but 2023 is expected to be the launch year.
Pricing and Release Date
The AR/VR headset is expected to cost around $3,000, and the first version won't be aimed at general consumers, instead positioned as a device for developers, content creators, and professionals.
Apple could use the Worldwide Developers Conference to introduce the headset, giving developers time to design apps for the device before a launch in the fall. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had said that it could be announced as early as January 2023, but it sounds like that may have been a little optimistic.
Read More
We have a dedicated roundup where we have aggregated all of the rumors about the AR/VR headset, and it is updated on a regular basis so it is worth checking out if you want to keep up with the news on the headset.
iPhone refreshes happen every September and are some of Apple's most reliable product updates. We can always count on getting a new iPhone, and in 2023, we're expecting the iPhone 15 lineup.
Rumors suggest Apple will release the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, though that latter device could actually get a new name - iPhone 15 Ultra to reflect its position as the highest-end iPhone available. The 6.7-inch iPhone 15 "Pro" model may get features not available in the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro or the two standard iPhone 15 models.
Size and Design
The iPhone 15 models are expected to come in the same general sizes (Apple isn't returning to the 5.4-inch iPhone mini), so we can expect two 6.1-inch iPhones and two 6.7-inch iPhones. As of now, we haven't heard anything about really significant design updates, but there have been rumors of a new, rounded off design similar to the casing on the 2021 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
There's talk of a possible titanium chassis for the Pro models, as well as solid state volume and power buttons that would be similar to the Home button on Touch ID iPhones. iPhones use mechanical buttons that physically depress as of now, but a solid state button would instead use haptic feedback to mimic the feel of a button press.
Such functionality would require Apple to add two additional Taptic Engines at the sides of the iPhone 15 Pro models, but it could have benefits like additional protection against water ingress.
In 2023, all of the new iPhones are expected to support the Dynamic Island that is limited to the iPhone 14 Pro models as of now.
USB-C
Apple is rumored to be transitioning away from Lightning and is instead set to adopt USB-C, the same connector already used for Macs and iPads. USB-C will allow for universal charging across much of the Apple device lineup, plus on some models, it could enable faster charging speeds.
The iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to support either USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt speeds for data transfer up to 40Gb/s. That's going to be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, though, and the standard iPhone 15 models will continue to feature USB 2.0 speeds limited to 480Mb/s.
Periscope Camera
Periscope camera technology is expected to be the major update for the iPhone 15 models, but the periscope lens could be limited to the high-end 6.7-inch iPhone 15 "Pro" or "Ultra" depending on the naming scheme.
Rumors suggest that only the high-end larger iPhone will have the space for the periscope lens technology, which is zoom lens technology. The periscope lens will replace the telephoto lens, and it will allow for improved optical zoom. Apple is expected to implement 6x optical zoom, up from 3x in the current iPhone 14 Pro models.
With 6x optical zoom and digital zoom, the iPhone 15 Ultra could have one of the super zoom features that are available in Android smartphones. Samsung, for example, allows for up to 100x digital zoom with its 10x optical zoom sensor.
Apple is expected to adopt Sony's image sensors for the iPhone 15 models with more light to improve both underexposure and overexposure. The sensor will enable improvements in portraits and other images where strong backlighting can be an issue. It isn't known if the new sensor will be used across the iPhone 15 lineup or limited to the higher-end iPhone 15 "Pro" models.
A17 Chip
Apple is going to use the A16 chips for the standard iPhone 15 models, but the iPhone 15 Pro models could get Apple's next-generation A17 chip, the first built on TSMC's next-generation 3-nanometer node.
3nm chip technology will increase processing performance by 10 to 15 percent, while also reducing power consumption by up to 30 percent.
RAM
iPhone 15 Pro models could offer 8GB RAM, up from 6GB in the current iPhone 14 Pro models.
Read More
For more on the iPhone 15 models, we have a dedicated iPhone 15 roundup that is updated whenever new rumors come out.
Macs and Displays
Almost the entire Mac lineup is due for a refresh, and there are some exciting updates coming, including a new 15-inch MacBook Air and the first Apple silicon Mac Pro.
The Mac Pro is the last remaining Mac that is entirely equipped with Intel-based chips, and it has not been refreshed since 2019. Apple is working on a new version of the Mac Pro, but it took some time to develop because Apple silicon chips needed to evolve before they could replace Intel's high-end Xeon chips.
We are not sure whether we'll see any notable design changes for the Mac Pro, which currently uses a stainless steel frame and aluminum housing with interlocking three-dimensional hemispheres for heat dissipation.
What will definitely be new is the Apple silicon chip technology inside, with Apple expected to use an M2 Ultra chip, an iteration of the M1. It could feature up to a 24-core CPU, up to a 76-core GPU, and up to 192GB of RAM, possibly more.
There's no word on when exactly the Mac Pro is coming, but rumors so far suggest that it could come early in the year, perhaps at a spring event or at WWDC.
There was no refresh of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models in 2022, so they are due for an update in 2023. Design changes are not expected as the last design change came in 2021, but we are expecting new Apple silicon chips.
The updated MacBook Pro models are expected to feature M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, upgrades from the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips used in the prior-generation models. Rumors suggest the M2 Max chip will feature up to a 12-core CPU and up to a 38-core GPU.
The current MacBook Air measures in at 13.6 inches, but Apple is working on a larger 15-inch version that would be between the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models in size.
We don't know a lot about the 15-inch MacBook Air, but it is expected to use the same general design as the 2022 13-inch MacBook Air with flat edges, a large Force Touch trackpad, a keyboard with function keys, and no fan.
It is not expected to include a mini-LED or ProMotion display technology, as Apple will reserve those features for the higher-end MacBook Pro models.
Prior to the launch of the Mac Studio, it was believed the machine would be in the Mac mini family, but it was not. The Mac Studio is not replacing the Mac mini, though, and there is rumored to be a new Mac mini coming in 2023.
Little is known about the Mac mini, which means it's probably going to get an iterative update rather than major refresh with a new design. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says we can expect no design changes with the same form factor, though some rumors have suggested we could see different colors.
The Mac mini will use Apple's M2 and M2 Pro chips. The M2 was already introduced in the MacBook Air, while the M2 Pro has yet to launch. Timing on a new Mac mini launch is unclear, though some reports have pointed to the first half of the year.
The 24-inch iMac hasn't been refreshed since 2021, so it is due for an update. An updated version would likely get Apple's M3 chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, but no major design updates.
There are also rumors that Apple is working on a larger-screened version of the iMac that would bring back the bigger iMac option, but little has been heard about such a machine. It's possible that this larger iMac could feature M3 Pro and M3 Max chip options and be an iMac "Pro," replacing the discontinued 2017 machine that never got a successor.
Aside from a possible 2023 launch date, we don't know anything else about the timing of refreshed 24-inch iMac or the debut of a 27-inch iMac.
Apple is working on multiple new display options set to launch in 2023. One of these displays will be a successor to the high-end Pro Display XDR, and the other could be a followup to the Studio Display or something in between the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR.
Analyst Ross Young says that one of the displays will be 27 inches in size and will feature mini-LED technology and ProMotion support, but little else is known about them at this point in time. New display options could come at some point in 2023.
Apple is working on a new version of the HomePod that's set to come out in 2023, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, while Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that the HomePod could be sized between the original HomePod and the HomePod mini.
A mid-sized HomePod would likely be sold alongside the HomePod mini as a more expensive option, with the speaker expected to feature a touch-integrated display and an S8 chip. Apple is rumored to be planning to launch the new HomePod in early 2023.
Apple Watch Series 9 (Fall 2023)
Apple refreshes the Apple Watch every year alongside the iPhone, and in 2023, we are expecting the Apple Watch Series 9. There's no word on what it could include, and to date, we haven't heard rumors about the Series 9.
Apple is working on new health sensors for monitoring blood glucose and blood pressure, but so far, those don't seem to be ready for launch. Alongside the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple could possibly refresh the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Ultra, but the Apple Watch SE doesn't typically get yearly refreshes and we don't yet know the refresh cycle of the Ultra because it is new.
It has been two years since the AirPods Max were refreshed, so a new version could be on the horizon. There have been no rumors of a refresh, but based on past launch timelines, the AirPods Max will be the next AirPods to get an update.
A new version of the AirPods Max could adopt features already introduced in the AirPods Pro such as an H2 chip, improved Active Noise Cancellation, a U1 chip for Find My Precision Finding, Bluetooth 5.3, and Adaptive Transparency.
iPad mini and iPad Air (Late 2023)
The iPad Air could get refreshed with an M2 chip in 2023, though we haven't heard specific rumors about an update. The iPad mini is overdue for a refresh because it hasn't been updated since 2021, and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that an updated iPad mini with a new chip is expected in late 2023 or early 2024.
Wrap Up
According to the rumors we've heard so far, 2023 is going to be an unusually busy year for Apple, with a number of exciting announcements in the works. Make sure to follow MacRumors.com and the MacRumors roundups and guides over the course of 2023 to keep up with the rumors we're hearing, and bookmark our What to Expect Guide and our Events Guide to see a continually updated overview of what's ahead.
When Apple CEO Tim Cookvisited Japan earlier this month, he met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss the App Store, Apple's investments in Japan, and iPhone features that could be adopted in the future, according to a new report from Nikkei.
Kishida asked Cook to enable a digital version of Japan's My Number identification cards, which are issued to all Japanese residents. He wants Cook to support the cards on the iPhone, allowing them to be added to the Wallet app much like IDs in some U.S. states.
Japan has been aiming to increase adoption of the My Number cards, which feature each person's 12-digit ID number. Japan has offered the cards since 2016, but as of 2022, only 49 percent of people have signed up. Adding My Number cards to the Wallet app could encourage more people to use the system because it would make them more convenient and potentially easier to obtain, but some have privacy concerns.
Japan wants to use the My Number cards to store all kinds of personal information, from health insurance data to banking info, and they feature the user's photo, name, address, and date of birth, and there are potential issues with data leaks.
Cook told Kishida that he would work on adding My Number cards to the iPhone, but he said that Apple has "strong concerns" over the handling of My Number IDs. He also reportedly urged Kishida to make sure that regulations surrounding app distribution do not undermine the privacy and security of iPhone users.
The Japanese government has been concerned with Apple and Google's control over the smartphone operating system market, and has proposed rules that would require Apple to allow third-party app stores. Apple in a statement at the time said that it would "engage constructively with the Japanese government." Japan is preparing a final report on Apple's App Store rules, gathering opinions from the public and holding ongoing discussions, so it is not a surprise that Cook is aiming to sway Kishida to abandon legislation that Apple believes would undermine the security of the App Store.
Cook and Kishida also spoke about Apple's investments in the country, with Cook pointing out that Apple has invested more than $100 billion in Japanese supply chains over the course of the last five years, and that it will continue to make its Japanese investments a priority.
Apple's 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch iPad Pro has dropped to $729.00 on Amazon today, down from $799.00. This sale is only available in Space Gray, and Amazon has stock ready to deliver as soon as January 6.
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Compared to past sales, this is a second-best price on the 11-inch iPad Pro. We haven't seen all-time low prices since around Black Friday, so this is a solid discount on the tablet as we head into the new year.
Apple's shares fell to an 18-month low this week amid iPhone supply issues and a broader downturn in the stock market. Apple's stock closed at $126.04 on Wednesday to reach its lowest mark since June 2021, and still remains within that territory.
Apple's manufacturing partner Foxconn has faced iPhone production constraints due to COVID-19-related issues over the past few months. Last month, workers protested at Foxconn's main iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, China over poor working conditions stemming from COVID-19 restrictions. While the Chinese government has since started to ease some restrictions, increased spread of the virus has led to labor shortages at Foxconn.
Last month, Apple issued a rare public warning stating that iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments would be lower than it previously anticipated due to the restrictions that were in place at Foxconn at the time.
Earlier this week, Taiwanese research firm TrendForce said the capacity utilization rate of Foxconn's factory had yet to rise above 70% since the production issues began. The situation has primarily impacted the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max given stronger demand for those devices, resulting in multi-week shipping delays. The standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models are both in stock on Apple's online store.
Due to the COVID-19-related issues, economic uncertainty, and the weeklong Chinese New Year holiday next month, TrendForce believes that the iPhone production issues will continue into early 2023 and lowered its iPhone shipment forecast for all models to 47 million units in the first quarter of the year, down from 52 million.
Apple briefly achieved a $3 trillion valuation earlier this year, but the company's market cap is now closer to the $2 trillion mark again.
Apple has marked iOS 16.2's Home architecture update as a major issue by adding it to an internal list of issues typically only reserved for widespread and noteworthy problems, indicating the update caused widespread and systemic issues to users' HomeKit devices and setup.
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 16.2, which included an option for users to update their Home app to a new, more "stable" architecture. Apple previewed the new architecture in June, and it was offered as a user-initiated option for users as an update to the Home app following iOS 16.2's release.
Despite Apple claiming the update would improve the Home app experience, a significant amount of users reported their HomeKit devices, scenes, and setups were broken after the update. The widespread issues caused by the update forced Apple to ultimately pull the upgrade, saying it would return in the future.
Now, MacRumors has learned Apple has added the Home app update to a database of both hardware and software issues internally, a rare move for a software-related problem. The list, used by Apple, Apple Stores, and authorized service providers, typically only includes widespread issues faced by customers, including mostly hardware problems.
Apple claims the update improves the Home app to offer "faster, more reliable performance," alongside slight adjustments to the Home app design. It's unclear when Apple will fix the issues with the update and make it available to users again. Until the update is fixed, the company has provided instructions that users who are experiencing issues after the update should follow.
While Apple has increased the level of customization iPhone users have access to over the years, the iPhone's system-wide font has been one thing users have not been able to change. Thanks to a new tool created by a developer, however, users will now be able to change their iPhone's font if they're running an older version of iOS 16.
The developer, Zhuowei Zhang, made a tool that changes an iPhone's system-wide font by exploiting a security loophole present in past versions of iOS 16. The security loophole Zhang used to make the tool was patched in iOS 16.2, meaning an iPhone will have to be running iOS 16.1.2 or older to use the tool and change its system-wide font.
To check what version your iPhone is running, go to Settings -> General -> About and see what is listed as the iOS version. Apple last weekend stopped signing iOS 16.1.2, meaning if you're running iOS 16.2, you will not be able to downgrade.
The tool is available on GitHub as an IPA file and lets users change their iPhone's font to one of several choices, including Comic Sans MS, Fira Sans, DejaVu Sans Mono, and others. Using the tool will change the appearance of your iPhone, as seen in the screenshots provided by Zhang below.
Users are heavily advised to update their device to iOS 16.2 as it includes important security fixes and a host of new features, including new options for the always-on display on the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Music Sing, the new Freeform app, and more. You can learn more about iOS 16.2 using our guide.
The A17 Bionic chip for next year's high-end models of the iPhone 15 lineup could be 35% more efficient compared to current iPhone processors thanks to the use of newer 3nm chip process technology.
Apple is expected to adopt the smaller 3nm process technology for the 2023 iPhone chip, destined to be the A17 Bionic. The current A16 Bionic chip uses TSMC's 4nm process, which offers improved efficiency and performance compared to the A15 Bionic chip based on the 5nm process from the year prior.
Mass production of TSMC's 3nm process began this week, and Bloomberg cites TSMC's chairman Mark Liu as saying the newer process will require 35% less power while also providing better performance than its previous 5nm process. Apple is expected to be TSMC's biggest customer of the 3nm process, reportedly using it for the upcoming M2 Pro and M2 Max chips and the A17 Bionic for the iPhone 15 Pro.
Last week, a report uncovered new challenges Apple faced while developing the A16 Bionic chip for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. According to the report, Apple had more aggressive plans to further improve the GPU on the chip, calling it a "generational leap." Apple initially wanted to include ray tracing for the A16 Bionic's GPU, but those plans failed after the chip overheated, leading to poor battery life. Ultimately, Apple changed plans last minute and included a GPU based on last year's A15 Bionic chip.
The lack of a more advanced GPU in the A16 Bionic chip could mean we see more considerable improvements with the A17 Bionic chip on high-end iPhone 15 models next year. For the first time with the iPhone 14 lineup, Apple only gave the higher-end Pro models the newer A16 Bionic chip while keeping the lower-end models with the one-year-old A15 Bionic chip. That same precedent is expected to continue next year, with only the higher-end models of the lineup gaining the A17 Bionic while the rest of the lineup will use this year's A16 Bionic chip.
Details on the iPhone 15 and higher-end iPhone 15 Pro and possibly iPhone 15 "Ultra" are scant, but we are expecting improvements with the cameras, including a periscope lens, the expansion of Dynamic Island to all models of the lineup, and more. For everything we know about the iPhone 15, check out our roundup.
The fourth quarter of 2022 this week becomes the first with no new Mac models in 22 years as previously anticipated devices like the next-generation MacBook Pro and Mac Pro models have apparently been pushed out to 2023.
Historically, Apple released at least one new Mac model every year in the fourth quarter that runs between October and December, starting in 2001 with the launch of the iBook G3. This means that there has been a new Mac toward the end of the year for the entire lifespan of product lines including the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. The last Mac that Apple released is the M2MacBook Air, which launched on July 15. Depending on how long Apple waits to launch its next Mac, the time following the launch of the MacBook Air could be among the longest periods with no new Mac models at all.
While it was widely rumored that new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models would emerge before the end of the year, a time frame seemingly supported by some mass production forecasts, as 2022 draws to a close, it is now almost certain that these devices have been substantially delayed. The MacBook Pro delay first became apparent when Korean blogger "yeux1122" cited a supply chain source saying that the updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will not launch until around March next year. The picture became clearer when Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in October that the next wave of Mac releases will now take place in the first quarter of 2023, including updated versions of the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro.
Overall, this constitutes a delay of up to six months over what was originally expected for the next-generation MacBook Pro models. Gurman expects the next MacBook Pros to have few other upgrades beyond the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, but high-bandwidth memory and ports with newer specifications seem plausible.
The Mac Pro is another device that was once strongly believed to launch before the end of the year, not least because this would have aligned to Apple's wish to transition the entire Mac lineup to Apple silicon within 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." While Apple reportedly had an M1-variant of the Mac Pro ready to launch earlier in 2022, the company appears to be waiting for an even bigger performance and efficiency jump next year.
Multiple reports from 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, but little is currently known about the device's design, ports, performance, and potential for modularity and customization. Most recently, Gurman said that Apple had likely scrapped plans for an "M2 Extreme" chip, but M2 Ultra configurations of the new Mac Pro still seem to be on track for launch in 2023.
In celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year on January 22, Apple has released limited-edition second-generation AirPods Pro with a Year of the Rabbit engraving through its online store and retail stores in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
2023 will be the Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese calendar. The limited-edition AirPods Pro have a specially-designed rabbit engraving on the wireless charging case, with a larger version of the graphic printed in red on the box they come in, but they are otherwise the same as regular AirPods Pro and pricing is unchanged.
Apple has made a Chinese New Year gift guide available and is offering customers up to ¥1,000 off select products purchased between December 30 and January 2, including the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, second-generation AirPods, and third-generation AirPods. Apple has also started selling OtterBox's limited-edition Chinese New Year case for iPhone 14 models.
Between January 6 and February 7, Apple's retail stores in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore will be offering free Today at Apple sessions where customers can use an iPhone to create a New Year portrait that they can share with family and friends.
Apple previously offered limited-edition first-generation AirPods Pro for the Year of the Ox in 2021 and the Year of the Tiger in 2022. Apple says this year's limited-edition AirPods Pro are available while supplies last and limited to two pairs per customer.
The second-generation AirPods Pro were first released in September and feature up to 2x more active noise cancellation, longer battery life, and more.
Apple supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) today started mass production of next-generation 3-nanometer chips that will be used in future Apple devices like iPhones, reports Bloomberg.
TSMC is producing the chips at its southern Taiwan campus, and TSMC chairman Mark Liu said that demand for the technology is "very strong."
The 3-nanometer chips will offer improved performance over the current 5-nanometer chips but with 35 percent less power use. Apple could start adopting 3nm processors in 2023, as rumors suggest the A17 in the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro will use 3nm technology.
In the future, TSMC will manufacture 3nm chips at a U.S. plant that's being built, with production to start in 2026. TSMC's first U.S. plant in Arizona will start with manufacturing 4-nanometer chips when it opens in 2024. TSMC is also developing 2nm chip technology, with those cutting-edge chips set to be produced in Taiwan.
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