5 Devices Apple Needs to Refresh in 2018
This year was a big one for Apple products. From the ridiculously powerful iMac Pro to the revolutionary new iPhone X, Apple has released some groundbreaking devices. But Apple isn’t known to be stagnant, and it’s likely that the company is striving to outdo itself in 2018. But beyond the iPhone and the iMac, there are still quite a few devices that are ripe for a refresh. Some of them are likely to be updated next year, while others are products we can only hope will see a refresh. Press the Right Arrow to See 5 Devices Apple Needs to Refresh in 2018.
5 Mac Pro
Among the products on this list, the Mac Pro is the most likely to be refreshed next year. Indeed, Apple actually confirmed in April that it will be "completely rethinking" the machine. That’ll be a great thing for users who want more customization options in a professional-grade desktop.
While the iMac Pro is the most powerful Mac that Apple has ever made, the Mac Pro form factor offers some things that the all-in-one desktop just doesn’t: namely, modularity and the ability to use your own display or peripherals. We only hope the next iteration of the Mac Pro is just as powerful as the iMac Pro — if not more.
4 Entry-Level Apple Watch
When Apple unveiled its Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE connectivity, it also quietly discontinued its Apple Watch Series 2 device — leaving the S3 and the nominally updated Apple Watch Series 1 as the only options for consumers.
While the S1 is a great budget option, it also relies entirely on an iPhone for connectivity — a relative downgrade from the Series 2. Sure, Apple might not add LTE to its budget-priced Apple Watch next year, but built-in GPS like the S2 had would be a welcome addition to the entry-level wearable.
3 iPad mini
There’s tons of evidence suggesting that the iPad mini might be on the chopping block at Apple — chief among them the fact that Cupertino didn’t release a refresh of the form factor this year. Despite that, an iPad mini 5 or Pro would be a nice addition to Apple’s lineup.
Sure, it’s being “sized out of its own category,” but there are certainly instances when a dedicated (and likely cheaper) tablet is preferable over a Plus-model smartphone (particularly with the iPad-centric iOS 11 updates). It’ll no doubt need a lot to stand out, but a larger display design with minimal bezels would be a good place to start.
2 Mac mini
Speaking of “mini” Apple devices, the Mac mini is in desperate need of a refresh. The last iteration was unveiled in 2014, and its specs are quickly becoming outdated. Thankfully, we’ve heard news that Apple is planning on releasing a new Mac mini next year.
Apple thinks the Mac mini is still important, and we do, too. It’s a great way to get the macOS experience without breaking the bank — it is Apple’s most affordable Mac, after all. And for casual users who’d like more customization options as far as their peripheral devices, it’s probably the best — or maybe the only — way to go.
1 iPhone SE
Yes, we know. The data shows that the demand for larger smartphones is strong, and that demand is only getting stronger. But we hope that Apple doesn’t forget about the 4-inch iPhone form factor — it’s still one of our favorites, and it could certainly use a refresh.
Just imagine it: a 4-inch iPhone “XSE” with powerful internals, wireless charging and an edge-to-edge, no bezel design. If the iPhone X is any evidence, Apple could still pack an impressively sized display into the 4-inch form factor. A size that’s, undoubtedly nicer to hold or put in a pocket. An iPhone XSE could be a game-changer.