As anticipation builds for Apple’s September iPhone 15 event, it seems that the introduction of new M3 Macs might be postponed to a quieter October release. Every summer brings a flurry of speculations about Apple’s September event. During this annual rumor cycle, expectations often inflate to include updates for almost the entire range of Apple products. The true extent of the event usually only becomes clear as the event date draws nearer.
In his recent Sunday newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman provides insights into what could unfold in September, as well as what might be deferred to an October announcement, possibly through a mere press release.
According to Gurman, “The event’s format is anticipated to mirror the iPhone 14 launch: a pre-recorded video presentation will be showcased online and at a physical gathering at Apple’s headquarters. Additionally, there is another unveiling slated for October—likely involving the debut of the initial M3 Macs. However, it remains uncertain whether this will be executed as a formal event.”
An introduction of the new M3 Macs via a press release wouldn’t be unprecedented. The M2 MacBook Pro and M2 Mac mini iterations previously bypassed dedicated events. In historical context, most incremental updates for Intel-based MacBook Pro and iMac models were communicated through press releases following the launch of a new chassis design.
Over the past decade, Apple has hosted October events in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021. However, full-scale October events were omitted in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022.
The transition from the M2 to the initial stages of the M3 generation is expected to commence sometime in the Fall. Consistent with Apple’s pattern, the releases of the M3 Pro, M3 Max, and M3 Ultra models will likely follow later.
Traditionally, Apple initiates a chip generation with the 13-inch MacBook Pro, the 13-inch MacBook Air, and the Mac mini. These models stand as strong contenders this time as well. Given that the M2 Mac mini was unveiled in January 2023, its successor might wait a bit longer if Apple maintains its typical release schedule.
Additionally, the 24-inch iMac is due for an upgrade after missing out on the M2 phase. However, the likelihood of a 15-inch MacBook Air featuring the M3 chip is lower, considering the relatively recent introduction of the M2 version.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digest Pulse journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.