There have been rumors for some time that Apple may want to move away from annual updates for products and services according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple now really wants to continue this. The start would have already been made with the Apple Watch Ultra.
You may have already noticed that the innovations in their products are becoming fewer and fewer every year. The stretch has gone a bit and innovations are lagging behind. A good example is the iPhone 16 Pro (Max), besides the camera control, the innovations are scarce and anything but spectacular.
No more annual updates for Apple hardware
Bloomberg has heard from reliable sources that Apple wants to stop annually updating their hardware devices. The main reason is that it is no longer practical to release a new version of a certain product every year. In addition, the list of innovations is getting smaller every year, the biggest steps are already far behind us.
Apple Watch Ultra as an example
The fact that Apple may want to move away from an annual product cycle is clearly visible in the Apple Watch Ultra. Unlike the ‘regular’ Apple Watch Series, this was not renewed. All attention went to the Series 10 with a modified design and faster processor. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 did not receive these innovations, but it did receive new software options and a new color choice.
With this, Apple shows that a product that was launched a year ago is still relevant. The specifications of the Apple Watch Ultra are very good and even contain better options than the series 10. However, it lags behind in terms of screen, but the processor is equivalent.
It’s likely that Apple will release the Apple Watch Ultra 3 next year and keep the Series 10. The regular Apple Watch will probably receive new color choices and software upgrades, just as was now the case with the Ultra 2.
Current annual upgrades
The list of Apple products below is usually updated annually and often at a fixed time: autumn.
- iPhone
- Apple Watch
- MacBook Pro
The iPad Pro is usually also renewed every year, but often in a different period. Once in the spring and a year later in the autumn.
Custom product cycle
When you look at the current Apple range, it is noticeable that most Apple products are no longer renewed annually. For example, the iPad 10th generation in 2022 and iPad mini 6th generation in 2021. The iPad Air and iPad Pro also had to wait more than 1.5 years for an upgrade. The iPhone SE 3rd generation and Apple Watch SE were released in 2022. Mac models also usually take longer than a year to arrive.
New version when product is ready
According to Bloomberg, Apple wants to release a new version of a product when it is ready and not because another year has passed. At Apple, several teams are working on a new product. For example, the audio team is working on AirPods, but also speakers for iPhone and HomePod. The software engineers are also working on new features that need to be added to new products. This is not always synchronized and can cause certain functions to be delayed and have to be postponed.
For this reason, some software functions are not released until later, but a new product has already been announced or has gone on sale. Apple would rather wait until everything is ready and a new product can be announced with all the new options and capabilities.
Exclusive software features
If Apple decides to stop updating products annually, it is a logical step that Apple will provide recent products with exclusive software features. Consider Apple Intelligence, which is only available on an iPhone 15 Pro (Max) or newer, or playing music through the speakers on an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Series 10.
iPhone continues to be renewed annually
Strangely enough, Mark Gurman thinks that the iPhone will continue to be updated annually and this is precisely the product that receives fewer and fewer interesting functions every year. The innovation and stretch is gone from the iPhone and it would be a good idea to renew it less often.
The time when every Apple enthusiast bought a new iPhone every year is some time behind us. Users have been using their device for a while now and only upgrade after a few years. By continuing to provide the iPhone with new options every year, it remains interesting for everyone.