Today we are investigating all product rumors Apple that may see the light of day this year and analyzing the company's announcements. Read this article: Rumors of new iPhone and Mac and merger processes Apple with other companies.
Apple did a lot in 2017, releasing the anniversary iPhone X and new iPhone 8, as well as a number of new models iPad and Mac.
2018 started with the launch of HomePod – what else is Apple preparing for fans of its products? to answer this question, we tried to collect together all the rumors and trends that we could find. So, we bring to your attention a full forecast on the topic 'What to expect from Apple in 2018?'.
iPhone
Let's start with the most profitable Apple product – smartphones.
iPhone SE 2
Back in March 2017, many expected Apple to update iPhone SE to SE2 or SEs, as today's popular SE smartphone came out in March 2016. However, the model was not replaced – the smartphone was released on March 21, 2017 only in versions with an updated amount of memory storage.
We still think that the new line model iPhone SE should still see the light in the future. The new model usually retains the existing classic design, but gets updated 'fillings' (for example, the A10 processor and a more powerful camera like iPhone 7).
See also: 'What to expect from the new iPhone SE 2'
When released? We assume that in the spring of 2018.
iPhone XI
Frankly, we have no idea what the follower will be called iPhone X, but option iPhone XI looks no worse than others. There is even an opinion that Apple will finally refuse to assign numbers to smartphones, and the next model will be succinctly called iPhone.
There are plenty of various hypotheses on the topic iPhone, which will be released in the fall of 2018, however, according to the most popular of them, Apple will take as a basis a relatively small corpus iPhone X, will increase it – and the light will see iPhone X Plus. We don't think this would be a wise decision (since X has already got the largest screen of all smartphones Apple). But the reality is that the market usually gets what the market needs.
Of course, Touch ID would be welcome back in addition to Face ID. This is possible if Apple is able to integrate the fingerprint scanner into glass, which was technologically difficult in 2017, but now seems achievable.
So, after the shocks of 2017 Apple it may well be rehabilitated in 2018, offering additional updates and, possibly, introducing existing functions into a wider range of smartphones – for example, providing a 4.7-inch iPhone dual lens camera.
When released? We assume that in September 2018.
iPad
iPad Mini
iPad mini got a minor update in March 2017 with more storage at the same cost (£ 419 and £ 549 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model respectively). However, this is not expected iPad mini 5. Considering that iPad mini 4 was released back in September 2015, it can be assumed that Apple is not too focused on its smaller tablets. The company itself claims that the most popular devices are with a diagonal of 9.7 inches.
Perhaps spring 2018 will mark the release of the iPad Mini Pro with redesigned components, a new thinner and more durable aluminum chassis and a Smart Connector (like other devices iPad Pro).
When released? We assume that in the spring of 2018.
Software
iOS 12
The public release iOS 11 took place on September 19, 2017. The next mobile operating system update Apple, iOS 12, will be unveiled at WWDC in June 2018 and will then go public in September.
See also: What will be the update iOS 12?
When released? In September 2018.
watchOS 5
Like iOS 12 (and other major operating system updates Apple), the first watchOS 5 showcase will take place in summer 2018, ahead of its public fall release. However, unlike other versions, watchOS 5 probably won't be available in public beta form.
Looking at the compatibility issues Apple Watch of the first generation with watchOS 4, it can be assumed that the new watchOS firmware may be the first version that will not work on all models Apple Watch.
When released? In September 2018.
macOS 10.14
The release of macOS High Sierra took place on September 25, but we are already thinking about updating in the form of an as yet unnamed macOS 10.14.
Apple will traditionally present and demonstrate macOS 10.14 at WWDC in June 2018. Only then will the release of the beta versions and, finally, the public autumn release begin.
Rumor has it that macOS 2018 won't see any noticeable updates, save for one important change. Apparently Apple plans to make it possible to run on Mac computers applications designed for iPhone and iPad.
When released? In September 2018.
tvOS 12
The newest and least known of all operating systems Apple, tvOS is great news for all Apple TV 4th generation or 4K owners. tvOS 12 will be announced in the summer and released in the fall.
The big change Apple TV in 2018 could be a new movie and TV series subscription service rumored to be rolling out Apple. The company already produces its own shows, so it looks like work towards a similar service Apple is really moving forward.
When released? In September 2018.
Macs
Mac Pro
The Mac Pro needs an update for a long time, which it hasn't received since 2013. The once-advanced computer now looks like a greetings from the past, missing many generations of processors Intel.
There is no new Mac Pro in 2017, but it is already on the horizon.
In April 2017, Apple broke the silence and shared with a group of journalists the plans to update the Mac Pro, apologizing for the long silence and acknowledging the design of the 2013 sample as unfortunate. It was designed to cope with the cooling of a dual-processor system, but the industry has gone in a different direction: most professionals prefer one, but more powerful processor. The Mac Pro is completely unsuitable for this configuration, so its update was delayed.
Apple is working on a new, completely redesigned Mac Pro model. Until its release (which, hopefully, will take place this year, but the next one cannot be ruled out), the price of the old Mac Pro has been reduced, but such an acquisition is still not advised.
When released? Most likely at WWDC 2018, but neither the end of 2018 nor even the beginning of 2019 can be ruled out.
Mac mini
When did it all go wrong with the Mac mini? After a very minor update in 2014, Apple seemed to have forgotten about it. It is difficult to say if something will change this year, however, according to Apple, the development of the Mac mini is still ongoing, so there is a small chance.
When released? Hopefully in 2018.
MacBook Air
Like the Mac mini, MacBook Air has been largely overlooked. It seemed that his days were numbered, but lately there have been rumors about a new, even more budget model, which may go on sale soon.
When released? One can only hope for 2018.
StudioPods
Most recently Apple launched a smart speaker HomePod – you can read all about the new speaker here. However, it seems Apple decided to increase the number of available Pod variants.
The company is said to be working on full-size earbuds in addition to the earbuds AirPods and EarPods already in production. This integration Apple into the accessory industry could mean that one day we may be able to buy glasses Apple Glasses or a VR headset. However, if that happens, it will not be in 2018.
You can read more about StudioPods here.
When released? According to some reports, in the fall of 2018.
AirPower
As part of the presentation iPhone 8/8 Plus / X Apple announced that it plans to release its own wireless charging pad for new devices with glass back panels and, as a result, the ability to support wireless charging. The platform will be called AirPower.
AirPower appears to have two key features. The platform will be able to charge multiple devices at the same time (iPhone, Apple Watch, Air Pods headphones, and at the same time wireless charging to them). AirPower will also be able to provide 'smart' charging of all gadgets, determining the level and maximum charge capacity of each and effectively distributing power based on this data.
Most likely, a device with this functionality will not be cheap, but AirPower has a chance to become the best wireless charger on the market – at least for owners of recent models iPhone.
See also: AirPower – Improved Apple Qi Charging
When released? At the end of March 2018.
Apple Pay Cash
At WWDC 2017 Apple introduced a new functionality Apple Pay that allows you to make money transfers. The Apple Pay Cash feature became available in the US with the release of iOS 11.2 in December 2017, but all other countries are still waiting for the launch of the new resource.
We hope that the launch of the service in Russia will take place in the near future.
When? According to some forecasts, the launch of Apple Pay Cash in Russia may occur in the summer of 2018.
Mergers and acquisitions
Apple has a lot of money, and many like to speculate about how the company might spend it. Buy Tesla! Get GoPro! Buy Sonos!
Undoubtedly, from time to time such predictions come true – this happened, for example, with the acquisition Apple of Beats in 2014. However, it is clear that Apple is in no hurry to give up its financial airbag. Therefore, any actions in relation to mergers or acquisitions are likely to be rather conservative: instead of chasing big names, which are full of many predictions, Apple will rather turn towards small but promising companies in order to make their products part of their brand – as it was with Siri.
We know that we recently Apple reviewed several major deals. According to the Financial Times, as recently as May 2016 Apple seriously discussed with Time Warner, the largest entertainment company in the world, the possibility of its acquisition. The deal was never completed, but it became clear that Apple plans to acquire a company that will allow it to enter the video content market. This would be of great value to the apple giant as the company is rumored to be launching its own streaming TV service.
Since the Time Warner takeover has not happened, many analysts believe Netflix may be the next target Apple. However, this remains at the level of rumors, and we still do not advise you to rely too much on the fact that this deal will take place.
What not to expect from Apple in 2018
Among the hot rumors of 2016, Apple Car was spotted, however, it has since become clear that plans Apple in this area have become less ambitious; today it is assumed that the company is not working on hardware, but on an automated software solution. Apple is said to have had up to 1,000 developers working on the so-called Project Titan and has set up various shell companies, including Faraday Futures and Sixty Eight Research.
We were happy to see a new car on the road in 2018, but it looks like 2020 could be a more likely year for this event. If this is true and the release of Apple Car is still far enough, then it is unlikely that one should refrain from updating of your car throughout 2018-2019.
We do not think that Apple Car will appear on the roads in 2018, but we continue to actively follow the discussions.
