A new HomePod and XR headphones could be among the new products launched by Apple in 2023.
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As exciting as 2022 was for new Apple products, 2023 can put it to shame with entirely new and refreshed products. Here’s what the rumor mill has in store for the coming year.
Barring another global pandemic, Apple will launch a new iPhone around September 2023. But that’s not what we’re here to talk about.
And, like every two years or so, Apple 2023 will bring a new mainstream Mac, a new Apple Watch, and likely a refresh for at least one of the iPad models. As interesting and evolving as these new designs may be, they will still be familiar in many ways.
Based on the increase in rumors and information from the supply chain, it looks like there are at least a few more exciting products Apple has in store for release in 2023.
In 2023, there may be a brand new virtual reality headset with augmented reality components. The most powerful Mac in the company’s history will likely ship, while a revived audio product could be brought back from the dead.
These are all things that have a good chance of popping up in the near future. Here’s what we expect to see, based on what’s coming out of the rumor mill.
VR/AR headset
Apple’s entire year will likely be defined by the release of its long-talked-about VR headset. Whether the hardware debuts at the start of the year or is suspended from all other announcements, it will tint every announcement Apple makes in 2023 in one form or another, until it is finally shown. .

Rumored helmet render.
It will happen in 2023 – almost certainly. But since it’s a brand new device, the company has the most flexibility as to when it wants to demonstrate it to the public.
Basically, there is too much smoke obscuring the sky for this product to ever make its landing.
Why is this exciting?: Eight years after the Apple Watch went on sale, Apple is about to launch a whole new kind of device in a whole new category. It’s a new product that literally has the potential to change the way we see the world around us.
The Meta Quest 2 has been the most popular VR headset so far, and it has been a compelling introduction to virtual reality for many people. But by all accounts, Apple’s headset hardware should far exceed that of the Quest 2 to deliver more immersive experiences.
We would like to imagine that many technologies and services from Apple such as SharePlay, Fitness Plus and Memoji, among others, will appear and transform our daily tasks.
Additionally, it looks like Apple is getting closer to using xrOS as the official name for the new mixed reality operating system. This should confirm that the software will expand beyond virtual reality to also include augmented reality experiences.
Mac Pro
Due to the developer tie, it’s likely we’ll see a new Mac Pro at WWDC in June. If it’s not at the annual conference, we could see it happening sooner since it’s approaching a year since Apple teased (and confirmed) the existence of a new Mac Pro during its event in the spring of 2022.
Why is this exciting?: A future high-end desktop Mac Pro with Apple Silicon packed inside will be hard for any tech enthusiast to turn away or ignore, even if most people don’t need it or won’t buy it not.

Mac Pro with Intel processor
The new Mac Pro will be unmatched in power. The beefy Mac Studio can already be configured with an M1 Ultra processor that has a 20-core processor and can go up to a 64-core GPU, as well as 128 GB of RAM.
So a new Mac Pro may be able to double that CPU performance if the UltraFusion die-to-die interconnect is used here with two Ultra chips.
There should also be plenty of design choices worth choosing for the casual observer. To finally see what “modular” means in the age of Apple Silicon, and glean insights into future Macs from the shape and size of the Pro’s case.
And, more importantly, wondering whether the new Mac Pro has wheels or not.
A new HomePod
March 2023 will mark two years since Apple’s original HomePod was discontinued. Almost immediately after his death, rumors suggested that Apple was working on a revamped model.
These rumors have persisted and suggest that sometime in early 2023, a new HomePod, in some form or another, may be on the way. The HomePod mini could also be refreshed, after all.
Why is this exciting?: Nothing is more exciting than a resurrection story – especially for a worthy product.
The original HomePod had its flaws, but it was a good speaker. So much so that when Apple announced its demise, the secondary market for the device grew instead of shrinking.
People who have used the speakerphone have absolutely loved it.

HomePod in black and white
A new HomePod could be transformed to include a screen for apps or widgets. It could merge with an Apple TV to become more of a soundbar.
A two-year hiatus would suggest he will get a significant change. But even if it’s simply reworked to cut component costs, it could be a win for people who want big sound without a massive speaker taking up space in their home.
New AirPods Max
The AirPods Max are one of the few products that aren’t rumored too much. The biggest indicator here that a refresh is imminent is that the lower-cost products in the AirPods lineup have surpassed the high-end premium headphones in some technical capabilities.

AirPods Max Digital Crown
Why are they exciting?: The first AirPods Max were very successful, so an update probably won’t add much. But a slight reduction in weight could go a long way to making the over-ear headphones even more comfortable.
New options for ear cushions could make them suitable for more tasks. Switching from a Lightning port to a USB-C port for charging would go a long way to making the earbuds more practical in everyday life.
In terms of technology, if there is a connection between the AirPods and the upcoming extended reality headset, updated hardware for the Max headphones may be required to help reduce latency between the two products.
But, most of them are rumors and whispers
The Mac Pro is coming. Apple has already said so, although it hasn’t said when.
The rest is just whispers and talk, floating out of Apple’s supply chain and wish-filled creative minds of rumormongers. We don’t post everything – there are a lot of things that aren’t contextual to what’s going on, or are just made up.
All the rumors surrounding the above products make sense. And, with each of them, there has been enough smoke to suggest that something is going on.
Maybe the fire is coming in 2023.
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