Apple Broke a 13-Year Hardware Streak in 2024

For more than ten years, Apple has continuously launched new hardware product lines. iPad From Vision Pro in 2010 to Vision Pro in 2023.

Although Apple has launched a number of major hardware updates in 2024, such as redesigned iPad Pro and Mac mini computerthese are evolutions of existing categories rather than entirely new product lines. The only new announcement worth noting, Apple informationis software-based and is not eligible for new hardware. This makes 2024 the first year since 2009 that Apple has not released a new hardware product. The following is a review of the major new products released each year from 2010 to 2023:

• 2023: Apple Vision Pro
• 2022: Mac StudioStudio Display and Apple Watch Ultra
• 2021: aviation label
• 2020: Apple Silicon, magnetic security for iPhone ecosystem, HomePod miniand AirPods Max
• 2019: AirPods ProPro Display XDR and Apple Card
• 2018: ‌iPhone‌XS Max
• 2017: iMac relative, family podcastiPhone X
• 2016: iPhone SE and AirPods
• 2015: ‌iPad Pro‌, apple penciland Apple TV HD
• 2014: Apple Watch
• 2013:‌iPhone‌ 5C and iPad Air
• 2012: iPad mini
• 2011: Thunder and lightning display
• 2010:‌iPad‌

2024 stands out for its lack of new categories, instead focusing on enhancing existing devices and introducing new software features.

It is worth noting that many of Apple’s product lines have reached a high level of maturity. Rather than creating an entirely new category, Apple seems to be doubling down on improving its existing product lines, as evidenced by the introduction of OLED display technology in the iPad Pro, the more refined design of the Apple Watch Series 10, or the M4 series of Apple chips. chips.

Although “Apple Vision Pro” was announced in 2023, it was not launched until February 2024 and constitutes a major new “spatial computing” product line of the company. It requires an entirely new operating system, accessory ecosystem, retail store space, and more. Therefore, Vision Pro is likely to dominate Apple’s focus in 2023 and 2024.

Similarly, Apple announced its shift to artificial intelligence in the form of “Apple Intelligence” in June 2024. Since “Apple Intelligence” only exists as software for existing product lines, Apple is committed to expanding “Apple Intelligence” support in 2024, such as launching iphone 16iPhone 16 Plus and seventh-generation iPad mini, and increase the standard memory of the entire Mac series to 16GB.

Apple has been rumored for a long time, but its fate is ill-fated. Electric vehicle projectit is also possible that significant resources were transferred prior to reporting eliminate. This effort, coupled with the huge development needs of “Apple Intelligence” and Vision Pro, may consume a large portion of Apple’s recent R&D capabilities.

In addition, Apple’s 2024 product lineup may still be affected by the lingering impact of the global economic slowdown during COVID-19, as most Apple products have a development cycle of two to four years. These overlapping factors may explain the lack of new hardware product lines launched in 2024.

To make matters worse, the growth of consumer hardware in the global technology market has slowed, with many buyers choosing to extend the life cycle of their devices. So it makes sense for Apple to prioritize incremental upgrades like the Apple Pencil Pro and fourth-generation AirPods rather than launching new product categories that require massive consumer adoption and investment.

It is rumored that smart homes will be launched in 2025”command center“Similar to the HomePod with a 7-inch display, this could constitute an entirely new product line as Apple is expected to refocus on the smart home. Beyond that, there is no entirely new hardware product line It is expected that this year.