New MacBook Airs and iPads, iOS 17.4, and More Expected Next Month (2024)

Monday February 12, 2024 9:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Now that Apple has launched its Vision Pro headset, we can shift our attention towards what is next on the company's agenda for the year.

As usual, March should be a busy time for Apple, as it is expected to release new MacBook Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Air models during the month. In a recent press release, Apple also confirmed that iOS 17.4 will be released in March.

Below, we recap what to expect from Apple next month.

New Macs and iPads

Apple will likely launch new MacBook Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Air models "around the end of March," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air are expected to be updated with the M3 chip simultaneously, with key benefits over the M2 chip including faster performance and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for improved graphics rendering in games.

No major design changes are expected for the MacBook Air this year, but the laptop will likely gain support for Wi-Fi 6E like other Macs.

Apple already updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and 24-inch iMac with the M3 chip in October 2023.

The next iPad Pro models are widely expected to be the first iPads equipped with more vivid OLED displays. Other rumored or likely features for the iPad Pro include the M3 chip, MagSafe wireless charging, a redesigned Magic Keyboard with a larger trackpad and an aluminum top casing, and a landscape-oriented front camera.

A larger 12.9-inch iPad Air is expected alongside an updated 10.9-inch model. Other rumored or likely features for the iPad Air include the M2 chip, a redesigned rear camera bump, Wi-Fi 6E support, and Bluetooth 5.3.

iOS 17.4

In its press release announcing major App Store changes in the EU, Apple confirmed that iOS 17.4 will be released in March:

Developers can learn about these changes on the Apple Developer Support page and can begin testing new capabilities today in the iOS 17.4 beta. The new capabilities will become available to users in the 27 EU countries beginning in March 2024.

In addition to the changes in the EU, key new features in iOS 17.4 include Apple Podcasts transcripts, SharePlay for the HomePod, new emoji, and the ability to use the Apple Cash card on more websites by generating a virtual card number. The update also includes preparations for the launch of next-generation CarPlay later this year.

Other software updates expected to be released in March include iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4, watchOS 10.4, tvOS 17.4, and visionOS 1.1.

New iPhone Color?

Apple often introduces new iPhone colors around March or April, midway through the smartphone's annual release cycle.

March 2023: Apple made the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus available in Yellow.
March 2022: Apple introduced a new Green color for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, and a new Alpine Green color for the iPhone 13 Pro models.
April 2021: Apple made the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini available in Purple.

Will the new color this year be (PRODUCT)RED?

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Air

Buyer's Guide: 11" iPad Pro (Don't Buy), 13" MacBook Air (Don't Buy), 12.9" iPad Pro (Don't Buy), iPad Air (Don't Buy), 15" MacBook Air (Don't Buy)

Related Forums: iPad, MacBook Air

[ 90 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

Stenik

3 days ago at 09:17 am

I want iPad mini

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

spamabyss

3 days ago at 09:30 am

My guess is the M3 MBA base will come with 12GB Ram (2X6).

Not going to happen as long as the base m3 Macbook Pro comes with 8GB.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

HobeSoundDarryl

3 days ago at 09:24 am

Would love to give a loaded Air a try... but NOT at 3X-5X market rates for RAM & SSD storage. I'd already own M2 Air if not for the same...

And that's

upgrades

purchased in massive quantities vs. retail

quantity one

(and NOT cheapest retail options, but simply comparable options. Focus a little harder on price and $252 drops

below

$200).

I'm clinging to an aging Intel MBpro that is begging to be retired... but not at Apple RAM & SSD exploitive pricing. If they opt to BEND on that though (AKA throw a bone to customers vs. shareholders for a change), I'll be first in line. Else, the march towards buying a PC laptop as my next one continues gaining steam. I'd rather not, but not bad enough to farrrrrrrr overpay for RAM & SSD.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Junipr

3 days ago at 09:28 am

A surprise 11”or 12” MBA M3 would be an instant buy for both me and my wife, this form factor was the best!

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

CalMin

3 days ago at 09:23 am

Ooh-ooh- Shiny new, shiny new!

I'm interested in iPads since I am still rocking 2018 era iPad Pros. That said, I don't know what Apple could do to make me want more than my 2018 iPad Pro (1TB). It's still powerful enough for everything I do with it. It lives its life as a digital notebook (GoodNotes/Notability) a Podcast Editing Machine (Ferrite Pro) and a travel companion (YouTube, Netflix etc.). It's buttery smooth for all of those uses and M1/M2 weren't even slightly tempting as upgrades, so I'm not sure what M3 would offer either. Still - it might be time, so let's see!

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)