When is the Next Apple Event? Here’s What to Expect This October
- Apple’s October event is shaping up to be more than just a MacBook refresh.
- Rumors suggest a new Mac mini could be getting a lot smaller... and losing some ports.
- The iMac is back, and iPad mini update could be on the horizon—it's been a minute!
- Want to know what's in store from Apple in October? Read on.
Apple is expected to hold another major event this October, following the recent unveiling of iPhone 16, new AirPods models and an updated Apple Watch. According to multiple reports, we can expect fresh updates to the MacBook Pro, iMac, and iPad mini, along with a much-needed redesign of the Mac mini. This would mark Apple’s fourth October event in five years.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect this time around:
1. MacBook Pro: M4 Series Chips
Photo via The Express // A rendering of Apple’s next-gen M4 chip, set to power the upcoming MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini.
Apple's flagship laptops are set for an internal upgrade, with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models expected to come equipped with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. There are no anticipated design changes, so the updates will focus strictly on performance boosts.
It’s worth noting that Apple last redesigned these models in 2021, introducing the M3 series chips. Any significant design overhauls, such as the rumored OLED displays or thinner designs, are unlikely before 2026, as Gurman reports.
No design changes have been rumored for the laptops this year.— Gurman wrote, indicating that while performance may improve, aesthetics will remain the same for now.
2. iMac: M4 Chip Update
Photo via Lifewire // A look at the iMac lineup—will 2024 bring USB-C accessories for Apple’s iconic desktop?
The iMac is also poised for a refresh with the M4 chip, but details on any additional features remain sparse. However, many Apple fans are wondering if this year will finally see the transition of the iMac’s accessories—the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad—from Lightning to USB-C ports.
3. Mac mini: Smaller and Sleeker
Photo via 9to5Mac // The redesigned Mac mini, rumored to be about the size of an Apple TV, could make its debut at October's event.
Perhaps the most exciting potential announcement is the Mac mini, which is expected to undergo a dramatic redesign. Gurman suggests the new model will be nearly the size of an Apple TV and will feature M4 and M4 Pro chips, a notable leap in power for the small desktop computer. It may lose its USB-A ports, further aligning with Apple’s move towards a more minimalistic and USB-C-only future.
This redesign would mark the first significant update to the Mac mini in over a decade, which would make it one of the most anticipated product changes at the event.
iPad mini 7: The Long-Awaited Refresh
Photo via Reddit // Apple’s iPad mini could finally see an update with the after a three-year wait, complete with a faster chip and improved cameras. It would be the 7th generation iPad mini.
For fans of Apple’s smallest tablet, an update to the iPad mini could finally be on the way. According to Gurman, the seventh-generation iPad mini is expected to feature a faster chip, improved front and rear cameras, and a fix for the infamous “jelly scrolling” issue—where screen tearing occurs when the device is in portrait mode. Additionally, it will likely support Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and come in new color options.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also supports the claim, predicting the next iPad mini will enter mass production in the second half of 2024.
Entry-Level iPad: A New Contender?
Gurman has hinted that "new iPads" (plural) will be unveiled, meaning we could see an update to the entry-level iPad at the October event as well. Details about this model remain speculative, but given Apple’s recent trends, we can expect modest upgrades focused on performance, with no dramatic design changes.
Apple has a busy season ahead. With the promise of bigger design changes still a few years off, it remains to be seen whether these incremental updates will be enough to keep customers excited.
Let’s wait and see how Apple chooses to close out 2024. Will these hardware upgrades help the company maintain its market lead, or is the real innovation still on the horizon?
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