Forget the M5, Apple’s other rumored fall upgrades will be far more exciting
Apple product launches aren’t as exciting as they used to be. iPhone evolution has slowed, and upgrades to M-equipped Macs and iPads are largely limited to processor improvements. Hardware has matured across the product line and attractive introductions occur only sporadically.
For example, the new MacBook Pro and iPad Pro are expected to arrive this week with little more than a barely noticeable bump in the chipset. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that Apple still has a few tricks up its sleeve, with these exciting announcements we’re expecting before the end of the year.
AirTag: tamper-proof speaker and U2 chip
The AirTag is one of Apple’s most popular accessories; it is affordable, widely available and very effective in finding lost items. Unfortunately, it’s also the go-to tracking tool for many criminals looking to easily stalk their victims through the vast Find My network. While Apple has implemented stricter anti-harassment measures on iOS and Android, bad actors are finding creative ways to get around them.
When AirTags are separated from their owners for extended periods of time, they will beep to alert unsuspecting people around them. To avoid this, stalkers buy modified AirTags that have the speakers removed, making it harder for victims to detect them.
A U2 chip could make the AirTag more useful than ever.
Foundry
Rumored to launch before the end of 2025, AirTag 2 would make it harder for modders to remove the built-in speaker, with the tracker potentially stopping working if someone tampers with its security features. Whether creeps will find new ways to modify the AirTag 2 remains to be seen, but the change will be welcome.
Another interesting advantage of the AirTag 2 could be Apple’s second-generation ultra-wideband chip. While chipset upgrades tend to be boring, this one could significantly elevate the AirTag successor in two key ways.
For starters, the U2 chip is significantly more power efficient than the first generation model. So, AirTag 2 could double battery life from 1 year to 2 years. More importantly, the new UWB chipset significantly increases the discovery range, helping users locate lost items from a distance.
An A17 Pro processor could turn the Apple TV 4K into a real gaming console.
Foundry
Apple TV 4K: A17 Pro processor
Apple TV 4K 3 is my all-in-one entertainment device. I use it to watch movies, YouTube videos, and occasional news, in addition to streaming Apple Music, FaceTiming with my friends, and working out with Fitness+. However, one thing I don’t like is its limited game library. There are some great titles on the tvOS App Store, but newer, more demanding versions tend to be lacking, mainly due to set-top box constraints.
Luckily, this year’s Apple TV 4K 4 is said to pack the A17 Pro brains of the iPhone 15 Pro. This is a powerful chip capable of handling some AAA games, potentially popularizing tvOS as a gaming platform for casual users. It could also unlock Apple Intelligence features, including ChatGPT integration.
A second selfie camera could make the iPad Pro Apple’s most versatile video calling device.
Foundry
iPad Pro: two selfie cameras
To encourage use in landscape mode with a Magic Keyboard, Apple has moved the front cameras of the latest iPads to the longer landscape edge, like a MacBook. However, this makes video calls awkward for users who prefer portrait orientation, not to mention left-handed people who might inadvertently cover the lens with their palms.
To remedy the situation without going back, the iPad Pro M5 would have two selfie cameras, one on each of the two edges. If the rumor materializes, iPadOS 26 would automatically use the correct lens based on the orientation of the iPad Pro. This decision makes it an even more versatile device that meets everyone’s needs.
Vision Pro: New headband
Vision Pro doesn’t sell well for several reasons: high price, limited features, short battery life, etc. Reviewers also unanimously agree that it is too heavy and wearing it for an extended period of time can cause discomfort.
Over the next few years, Apple will work to perfect its space computing headset and make it accessible to the general public. Starting with this year’s Vision Pro 2, the company is said to offer a more comfortable headband, which could relieve some of the pressure and minimize neck pain.
Vision Pro 2 could bring a better headband and a more powerful chip.
Dall-E/Petter Ahrnstedt
The other notable upgrade to Vision Pro 2 will likely be a three-generation chip moving from the M2 to the M5. While the near-term impact of this change may not be visible, this boost could power advanced spatial computing features that will debut with future visionOS updates that the M2 SoC cannot handle.
The current Vision Pro is essentially a 3D iPad that can mirror a nearby Mac. With enough processing power, visionOS could eventually move to a more comprehensive operating system that natively offers macOS-like workflows. Given the intensive nature of spatial computing and its current immature state, specification changes will make a real difference in the future.
