Apple has already had a busy October, but the company may still have one more major round of product announcements before the month is over.
After unveiling Apple HomeView, HomePod mini 2 and the new Apple TV 4K this week, Apple is reportedly preparing a second product launch on or around October 27, with the focus expected to shift from the smart home to the Mac and iPad.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to introduce its first touchscreen MacBook alongside a new iPad mini, with updated versions of the 14-inch MacBook Pro and iMac also expected.
The biggest announcement could be a redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro lineup featuring OLED displays and touchscreen support. The new models are expected to be thinner and lighter than the current generation, while replacing the familiar display notch with a Dynamic Island-style cutout. The high-end models are expected to use Apple’s existing M5 Pro and M5 Max chips rather than M6 Pro and M6 Max processors.
Apple is also expected to update the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip. Unlike the more substantial OLED models, the standard M6 MacBook Pro is expected to retain the existing design while delivering Apple’s latest silicon.
The 24-inch iMac could receive an M6 upgrade at the same time, potentially accompanied by new color options. No major redesign is currently expected for the all-in-one Mac.
An updated iPad mini is also reportedly on the way. The new model is expected to make the move to an OLED display and use Apple’s A20 Pro chip, alongside a landscape-oriented front camera and a redesigned speaker system. Reports have also suggested improved water resistance.
Rather than holding a conventional streamed Apple Event, Apple is reportedly planning product experiences for creators in Los Angeles on October 27 and October 28, suggesting the announcements could follow a similar format to this week’s smart home launches, with products unveiled online alongside hands-on media sessions.
The expected late-October announcements would follow Apple’s introduction of HomeView, HomePod mini 2 and the new Apple TV 4K, while iPhone Duo pre-orders are also set to begin October 16 ahead of its October 23 launch.
Apple has not confirmed the reported October 27 product launch, so the timing and final lineup could still change. If the reports prove accurate, however, October could end with one of Apple’s most significant MacBook Pro updates in years.
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