5+ New Products Apple Should Launch at WWDC ’19 This Year

This year’s Worldwide Developers Conference is going to be a jam-packed event. Apple is largely expected to debut a slew of major changes to iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS. In other words, it’s going to be a big deal for software.

But hopefully WWDC ’19 is not just all about software, with all of the pending hardware releases that Apple could throw into the mix. Some of these are more likely than others, but here are several devices that Apple may — or should — show off at the event. Continue reading to browse 5+ New Apple Products We'd Like to See Debuted at WWDC '19.

Pro Desktops & Apple Display

A new Mac Pro is the most likely candidate for a hardware announcement at WWDC ’19. Unlike some of the other devices on this list, there have been multiple rumors suggesting that Apple could give a teaser of the new Mac Pro at its developers' conference. While details are scarce, rumors indicate that the Mac Pro could come in stackable modules. It'll also be incredibly powerful.

To go along with the Mac Pro, Apple is also rumored to be developing a new 8K Apple Display — its first computer monitor in some time. We expect the Apple Display to debut alongside the new Mac Pro. Speaking of which, WWDC ’19 would also be a good time for Apple to refresh its other pro-level desktop: the iMac Pro.

MacBook Refreshes

In addition to its desktop Macs, Apple’s MacBook lineup is in need of a refresh. Past rumors indicate that a new MacBook Pro with a 16.5-inch display is on the table for 2019 — and WWDC is about as good of a place as any to debut it. Last year, Apple released the 2018 MacBook Pro via press release. But a WWDC announcement would still line up with that summer release timeline.

The MacBook Pro isn’t the only Apple notebook in need of an update. Apple’s 12-inch MacBook has largely been overshadowed by its larger, cheaper and more powerful MacBook Air counterpart. Apple needs to make the 12-inch notebook a lot more powerful or cheaper for the lineup to even make sense going forward.

New HomePods

Though it’s easy to forget, the very first HomePod was debuted at WWDC back in 2017. Because of that, it makes perfect sense for a HomePod refresh to also make an appearance at this year’s developers' conference. The HomePod itself is in pretty desperate need of a refresh since it’s largely failed to compete with its Amazon Echo and Google Home competitors.

Luckily, Apple is rumored to be working on a lower-cost HomePod device to better compete with the cheaper offerings of current market dominators. If Apple does decide to go this route, we expect a so-called HomePod mini to debut alongside a regularly priced HomePod. Both will likely feature upgraded internals and other incremental updates — and will hopefully debut alongside much-needed Siri enhancements.

Premium Over-Ear Headphones

AirPods have been a smash hit since their debut, and Apple is likely to continue capitalizing on that success (just look at the Powerbeats Pro). To round out its audio accessories, the Cupertino tech giant is rumored to be developing a pair of premium, Apple-branded over-ear headphones that could see a release this year.

Details are fairly scarce about the new headphones, but they will reportedly be “just as convenient” as AirPods but will feature vastly improved sound quality. While this is just a guess, Apple could market the headphones as a serious audio accessory for professionals and creatives. If that were to be the case, then a debut alongside pro-level computers at WWDC ’19 seems like a good move.

iPhone XE

Of all the items on this list, a refreshed 4-inch iPhone is undoubtedly the least likely. But although it’s mostly wishful thinking, we aren’t pulling an iPhone XE release prediction out of thin air. A refreshed 4-inch handset seemed nearly certain last year, and there have been recent reports that the device hasn’t been scrapped.

Whether it’s simply an iPhone SE with a more powerful processor or an actual iPhone XE device, Apple is in desperate need of a cheaper handset — especially in the wake of the Google Pixel 3a. And releasing a lower-cost iPhone in the summer could help mitigate any sales cannibalization of the company's September iPhone lineup.