Rumors are rife around an Apple event planned for October to unveil new products. With updates expected for the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, as well as the iPad and iPad mini, brand aficionados are eager to discover the latest innovations.
Apple’s iPhone 16 launch event in September was packed with new devices, but the Californian firm still has some surprises to reveal. Several rumors indicate that a second event will take place in October, where the company could announce a series of new and updated products.
What might we see at this October event? And when exactly will it take place? Is there anything we don’t expect to see? We’ve put together this guide to give you all the information you need so you’re in the know and ready for the big day. Read it to find out what’s coming.
When will the event take place?
In recent years, Apple has made a habit of organizing an event in October. The company tends to schedule its presentation on a Monday or Tuesday, but the precise week of the event has varied. Here are the dates for October events from previous years:
- 2023: Monday October 30
- 2021: Monday October 18
- 2020: Tuesday October 13
- 2018: Tuesday October 30
There was no October show in 2019 or 2022. Based on previous schedules, we would say the most likely dates for this year’s event are October 14 or 15, or October 28 or 29. It is also possible that it will take place on October 21 or 22. That leaves a pretty wide range of dates, but that’s all we have for now.
MacBook Pro M4
The MacBook Pro was last updated in October 2023 to receive M3 series chips. Speculation abounds that Apple is moving to an annual update cycle for its devices, and that suggests the time for the MacBook Pro update could arrive this October. Plus, Apple has already launched the M4 chip in the iPad Pro, so it would make sense for the MacBook Pro to follow soon after.
Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman believes that the MacBook Pro has a good chance of appearing in October. According to Gurman, updates will be made across the range: the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro will receive an M4 chip, while the other 14-inch models and the 16-inch MacBook Pro will have the M4 Pro chips and M4 Max.
However, don’t expect any design changes — the MacBook Pro’s chassis was redesigned in 2021, so it’s a little early for a new design. Although an OLED MacBook Pro is in the works, it wouldn’t be expected until 2026 at the earliest.
Redesigned Mac mini M4
The Mac mini’s design has remained largely unchanged for years — its last major visual overhaul was in June 2010, more than 14 years ago. Luckily, we shouldn’t have to wait too long for the next cosmetic update, as Mark Gurman reported that it should receive a new look at Apple’s October event.
This new version should give the Mac mini a form factor similar to that of an Apple TV box, which is significantly smaller than the current dimensions of the Mac mini. In return, the Mac mini should be slightly higher.
This won’t be the only change to Apple’s smallest desktop Mac. Leaked macOS code suggests it could now have five USB ports (up from four on the current Mac mini), and Gurman says all of those ports will be USB-C, replacing the old USB-A ports. Two of them will be located on the front of the device, making them much easier to access, while three will be on the back. We can also expect M4 and M4 Pro chips inside.
iMac M4
A new iMac is a solid bet for October, but as with the iMac’s M3 update in 2023, only slight changes are expected this time around. The main change will be the introduction of an M4 chip, but we shouldn’t expect something more powerful (like the M4 Pro).
There’s also a good chance that Apple’s iMac accessories — such as the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad — will get USB-C charging ports to replace the existing Lightning connectors. Apple is gradually replacing Lightning ports on its devices to comply with European Union regulations, so it seems inevitable that iMac peripherals will follow this trend.
The iPad and iPad mini
A previous report from Mark Gurman stated that there were “new iPads in the works, including an improved mini version,” and that they would be present at the October event. The use of the plural for “iPads” suggests that we can expect more than just the iPad mini, and it’s likely that the entry-level iPad is the missing piece of the puzzle.
Indeed, the iPad Air and iPad Pro were both updated in May 2024, making an October refresh doubtful. In contrast, the iPad mini and entry-level iPad haven’t been changed since 2021 and 2022, respectively, making them much more likely candidates for the October event.
The iPad mini is expected to get a faster chip, better cameras (front and back), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, new colors, as well as a fix for the “jelly” problem scrolling” from which the iPad mini has suffered for some time.
As for the entry-level iPad, rumors are a bit scarce, but a new chip seems certain. Other than that, we’ll have to wait to find out what happens in October.
Everything we don’t expect to see
Many products are announced for Apple’s October event, but several others are not expected to be revealed on stage. For example, although the show focuses on Macs, some Apple computers almost certainly won’t make an appearance.
This includes the Mac Studio and Mac Pro — although they were both updated in 2023, they are not expected to join Apple’s annual update cycle (likely due to the longer development times required for their high-end chips). Instead, the new Mac Studio is expected to debut around mid-2025, while the Mac Pro is expected to be updated before the end of the year.
Likewise, rumors suggest that the MacBook Air will be updated in spring 2025 rather than at the October show. The MacBook Air M3 launched in March 2024, so a second update is unlikely to occur in the same calendar year.
Finally, there are other products that most likely will not be ready in time for October, despite their claimed readiness. This includes a new iPhone SE, AirTags tracker updates, and a new Apple TV box. It is very likely that all of these products will arrive in 2025.
