Apple is planning to host multiple events this year to introduce various products. As previously mentioned, one event in September will focus on the iPhone announcement, while another event is expected to take place in October or November to unveil new Macs featuring the M3 chip. However, not all Macs will be upgraded with the M3 chip this year; some models will be reserved for next year.
The Upcoming M3 Chip Macs
The M3 chip is set to be unveiled later this year, likely after the iPhone 15 announcement in September. Apple may hold an event in October, as per reports from Mark Gurman. The high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models are expected to receive the M3 treatment next year.
Apple plans to update the existing MacBook lineup with the M3, offering improved computational and graphical performance compared to the M2 chips. However, specific details about the M3 chip and its enhancements have not been disclosed yet. The Macs expected to launch later this year with the M3 chip include the 24-inch iMac, 13.6-inch MacBook Air, and 13.3-inch MacBook Pro.
For those considering upgrading their Mac or purchasing a new one, it is advisable to wait a few months for Apple to unveil the M3 chip. It promises to be a significant improvement over the M2, as it will be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process, delivering better CPU and GPU performance and improved battery life due to its power-efficient nature.
The recently launched 15-inch MacBook Air featuring the M2 chip might not receive an upgrade with the latest M3 chip this year. Apple might choose to upgrade the 15-inch model alongside the high-end MacBook Pro models in the following year. The 15-inch MacBook Air shipments were lower than expected in July, so upgrading this model could potentially boost sales.
As for the M3 Mac mini, it is not expected to be announced this year and might debut next year, alongside the M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro models. Furthermore, the iMac Pro is also expected to receive an upgrade with the M3 Ultra chip, but specific performance details remain scarce until Apple’s official announcement.