When is the next Apple event?
Apple has announced a 30 October event , where we expect to see a new iPad Pro and new Macs. We have all the details about when it's happening, where it's happening and what to expect
Apple's iPhone and Apple Watch event may only have been last month but the company isn't done for the year yet. We now know there will be an announcement on 30 October, when we expect to hear about new iPad Pros and Macs.
In this article our experienced Apple pundits look ahead to the launch events we expect from the company over the next 12 months, and the products likely to be unveiled at each of them.
Apple's calendar of events
There are exceptions, but Apple's big announcements tend to happen at four yearly points:
- March
- June (WWDC - mostly software)
- September (iPhones and Apple Watches)
- October
So far 2018 has seen a major education-themed iPad launch in late March, followed in June by the week-long WWDC 2018 developer conference. This saw Apple reveal details of the upcoming major updates to all four of its software platforms, but hardware news was pushed back to July's new MacBook Pro models.
Apple's biggest event is the iPhone refresh, which happened this year on 12 September. We saw the introduction of the iPhone XS and XS Max alongside the colourful iPhone XR and new Apple Watch Series 4.
Apple's 30 October 2018 event
Next up is an event on 30 October in Brooklyn New York, with the tagline "There's more in the making." Here's how to livestream the event.
Invitations were sent out on 18 October, and this year there are many different artistic designs, hinting at a creativity theme. But what will Apple announce?
iPad Pro
Apple updated the entry-level iPad back in the spring, but it's now nearly a year since the Pro version got a refresh. All the rumours point to Apple updating the Pro at its October event, with the new model using a Face ID camera rather than Touch ID - and hence having no Home button. You can expect smaller bezels and the 10.5in version may get an 11in screen without a significant change in dimensions.
Apple Pencil
The new Apple Pencil is hinted at by a filing with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in October. A "Bluetooth device" is listed featuring a model number of A2051 and this is thought to be a new Pencil.
AirPower
This is surely a bit of an embarrassment for Apple. It has now been more than a year since the company announced it would be selling its own wireless charging pad for three of its products: the iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch.
If the company doesn't announce availability at the October event we would be shocked, although it is starting to look like Apple wants to forget it ever mentioned AirPower in the first place, as the company has removed all mention of it from its website.
AirPods
Speaking of AirPods, it's also likely that we will see at least a new charging case for the AirPods alongside the AirPower, and quite possibly new AirPods as well.
MacBook Air
We're hearing that an update to the MacBook Air is in the pipeline after a long wait. It almost sounds too good to be true; but apparently, rather than discontinue the MacBook Air, it looks like Apple will launch a new 13in model with a Retina display at the same price as the current Air.
13in MacBook
Alternatively this rumoured new 13in Mac laptop could be an update to the MacBook, which is currently 12in, but could be getting a bigger screen (as well as a lower price).
We expect to see the MacBook range updated even if a 13in model doesn't join it.
Mac mini
Apple claimed the Mac mini was still important to it. So could the company be planning an update to the Mac that's been untouched since 2013? The rumours suggest that it will - but it's possible that we won't see that update until 2019.
iMac
We also expect that Apple will unveil updates to its range of iMacs, which like the MacBook Pro should get more cores - that's six rather than four core processors. In fact, we may even see an option with eight cores!
The year 2018 also marks 20 years since the iMac was introduced, so a good time for an update, we think.
Apple's spring 2019 event
In the past, Apple has made some significant announcements at spring events. In 2015 Apple held an event called 'Spring Forward' on 9 March 2015, where it announced pricing and the launch date for the original Apple Watch and unveiled the first 12in MacBook. And on 21 March 2016, at the 'Let us loop you in' event, we got the iPhone SE, the iPad Pro 9.7 and iOS 9.3.
However, spring 2017 was a bit of a disappointment for Apple followers: instead of a full-blown event the company quietly closed down its online store then sent out a press release announcing the launch of the iPad 2017 and the red iPhone 7.
Then in 2018 Apple held an education-focused event on 27 March at a school in Chicago. The company made a series of announcements including a new iPad (with support for Apple Pencil), updates to Pages, Numbers and Keynote, and GarageBand. As well as talking at length about what it can do for teachers and students.
As for what Apple could launch in the spring of 2019, we aren't anticipating an education themed event for 2019 - unless for some unforeseen reason the 13in MacBook still hasn't launched by then. However, Apple has something else that should be ready to hit the limelight by then...
Apple streaming video service
We are hearing that Apple's long awaited video streaming service that could take on Netflix may finally launch in the spring of 2019!
New HomePod
Apple's also rumoured to be gearing up to launch a new HomePod in 2019, so we could see one at a movie and music themed event in March 2019.
HomePod mini
It's probably wishful thinking, but there are a lot of rumours flying around suggesting that Apple will launch a cheaper, smaller HomePod (maybe it will have Beats rather than Apple branding). Such a move would, presumably, help Apple gain marketshare in the smart speaker space, but it has a long way to go before it has anything like the market share of Amazon.
New over-ear headphones
We already mentioned the AirPods above, but the company is also said to be planning to introduce some new over ear headphones.
iPhone SE 2
The iPhone SE is a popular iPhone, being both the smallest and the cheapest handset on offer. If you were hoping the iPhone XR would be a replacement for the SE 2 you might be disappointed. It's still rather pricey and it's much larger than the 4in SE.
However, there are some rumours hinting that Apple may still launch a new 4in handset for those people who prefer a smaller phone. In fact, code in Xcode has indicated that a new handset could ship featuring the older iPhone 7 processor, and this could well be an update to the SE.
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