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When is the next Apple launch event and what will be launched?

When is the next Apple iPhone, iPad, iOS or Macbook launch event, what new products will Apple launch and how can I watch the event live? Here’s all you need to know about what Apple is set to launch in 2018, plus a recap of the biggest reveals of 2017.

The Cupertino company has had a busy time of late. In the past few months alone we’ve seen the launch of several new iPhones, iPads and Mac computers. On top of that there’s the new Apple Watch, Mac computers and the HomePod speaker, to rival Amazon’s Echo and Google Home.

That’s just on the hardware side, too. The past twelve months have also brought us some big software updates, in the form of MacOS High Sierra, iOS 11 and beyond.

Here’s a recap of the most exciting Apple launch news from 2017, as well as a preview of upcoming Apple launches expected in 2018. From WWDC 2018 to the iPhone 9 and new smart home kit, we’re expecting it to be a big one.

What did Apple launch in 2017?

The first reveal of 2017 was on March 21, where the Cupertino company unveiled its all-new 9.7-inch iPad. This is an affordable (ish) tablet at just £339, offering slashed specs compared to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro but at a much more enticing price point. In other words, it’s great news for anyone who just wants to watch video and play games, on a full-screen device.

Apple also launched its new PRODUCT(RED) iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, as well as slashing the price of the iPhone SE and iPad Mini 4. We also saw the launch of some lovely new Apple Watch bands.

Check out our full Apple launch round-up to see everything that was announced in March.

Next up came WWDC 2017, where we saw a whole bunch of new hardware and software launched in just over two hours.

What was launched at Apple’s WWDC 2017 event?

WWDC 2017 kicked off on June 5 and Apple used the event to launch iOS 11. This is the latest version of the operating system found on the iPad and iPhone. Loads of great new features were announced, including significant updates to existing apps.

We also saw the new WatchOS 4 software launched for Apple Watch devices, to keep those wearables fresh. Plus we saw a fresh new MacOS update called High Sierra.

As if the software side wasn’t enough, Apple also revealed a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro and a good-looking iMac Pro. That’s some seriously high-end kit. Unsurprisingly, these devices come at quite a high price, as they’re aimed at professional users.

For all you need to know about what was launched at WWDC 2017, check out our complete WWDC 2017 guide. You can also have a gander at our WWDC feature hub.

What happened at Apple’s iPhone launch event in September 2017?

Of course, Apple’s biggest reveal of the year came in September, with the launch of the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. The 8 and 8 Plus offer a standard upgrade over the year-old iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, while the highly desirable iPhone X is absolutely stunning as well as smart as a barrel full of nuclear physicists. This phone sure isn’t cheap.

Check out our iPhone hub for full details on all of Apple’s new smartphone tech.

This massive launch event also saw the reveal of the Apple Watch Series 3. This new smartwatch offers full cellular support, so you can use it independently of your iPhone. With WatchOS 4 on board it’s smarter than ever as well. Check out our Series 3 review for our full thoughts.

When is the next Apple launch happening?

Apple still already released the HomePod speaker here in the UK, back at the start of the year. Chances are you’ve seen the adverts.

So what about other new hardware and software? Here’s what we’re expecting Apple to launch in the coming months.

When will WWDC 2018 happen, and what will be revealed?

WWDC is just as predictable as those iPhone launches. As always, Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference will take place in June 2018, in the US of A. The company has already announced that kick off is June 4. The event will run all week, until June 8.

So what will we see launched at the event? Chances are good that we’ll be treated to an early look at iOS 12, which should hit our iPhones and iPads around September 2018. That’s when the latest iPhones will be launched. You can also expect more talk around Siri and how she’s evolving to work in smart home setups, via HomePod. Plus the latest WatchOS software (WatchOS 5) and new MacOS should be teased.

If WWDC 2017 is anything to go by, WWDC 2018 could also serve up some fresh new hardware. Early talk points to some new Mac devices, although we won’t know for sure until that keynote on the Monday. That’s when the major announcements are made.

When will Apple launch a new Macbook or Macbook Pro?

Apple launched its latest Macbook Pro on October 27, 2016. This super-powered laptop boasts top-end specs, powerful graphics processing and some really cool new features like the Touch Bar control panel and Touch ID sensor. You once again have a choice of sizes too, between 13 or 15-inch models.

Check out our Macbook Pro 2016 vs Macbook Pro 2015 comparison review to see what’s new in the latest Macbook Pro.

Both the Macbook Pro and the standard Macbook model were refreshed at WWDC 2017, with a single significant specs update. These new models sport the same general design, specs and features, with an upgrade for the chipset to a Kaby Lake processor. You also get an increase to the memory count (up to 32GB maximum), for improved performance.

As a result of that refresh, we’re not expecting any new Macbook laptops to be launched until late 2018.

When will Apple launch a new Macbook Air?

Will we ever see a new MacBook Air? Right now it’s looking unlikely and we expect Apple to concentrate on its iPad Pro range instead. After all, the iPad Pro offers the same portability benefits of the Air, with seriously impressive performance. Not to mention the added bonus of the Apple Pencil support.

When will Apple launch new iPads?

On March 21, 2017, Apple revealed its first standard iPad refresh in ages. The all-new 9.7-inch iPad is a much cheaper alternative to the iPad Pro 9.7, starting at just £339 here in the UK. Those specs have been slashed of course, to match the lower price. However, this new Apple tab is well up to the task of watching movies and playing games.

Read next: Apple 9.7-inch iPad (2017) vs iPad Pro 9.7, what’s the difference?

Apple’s last iPad Pro launch before 2017 was the reveal of the iPad Pro 9.7, back in March 2016. Which is why no-one was surprised when Apple finally revealed its new 10.5-inch Pro tablet at WWDC 2017.

This latest Pro is the first iPad ever to strike a new sweet spot of 10.5-inches. This device is designed to allow for a more comfortable typing experience, with a full-size virtual keyboard or Smart Keyboard. The gorgeous ProMotion screen and seriously slim bezels make it an instant winner.

We haven’t seen a new iPad Air or iPad Mini since the end of 2015, and it’s now looking like those ranges are extinct. That said, some rumours have also pointed to a fresh new 7.9-inch model called the iPad Pro Mini. If these rumours are on the money, the Pro Mini will likely mean the death of the standard iPad Mini. Right now however, we can’t see any new Mini tablets being launched by Apple.

Will we see any new iPads launched in early 2018? Well, check out our rumour round-up for all you need to know. However – spoiler alert – we’re not expecting anything more for a while.

When will Apple launch a new iPhone?

We saw the launch of the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X in September 2017, which should be the last iPhone reveal for a while. Of course it’s possible that Apple will reveal a new cut-price iPhone model, such as a new version of the iPhone SE, in the near future. That super-powered mini mobile was popular and hasn’t seen a refresh, so perhaps early 2018 will bring us an update.

Either way, you can expect the iPhone 8s and 8s Plus to be launched in September 2018. Apple is as predictable as crap British weather when it comes to mobile tech, so it’s never a shock when the invites land.

Check out our huge iPhone comparison guide to see how the new 8 and 8 Plus stack up against older iPhones.

When will Apple launch a new Apple Watch?

We’re big fans of the Apple Watch Series 2, which took the best bits of the flawed original (mostly that gorgeous design work) and slashed almost all of the bad bits. With a bit of WatchOS 3 magic, built-in GPS support and waterproofing, the Watch Series 2 was a great all-round wearable.

Although there was a big gap between the Apple Watch and the Apple Watch 2, the Series 3 model was launched just a year later, in September 2017. The third Watch is less of a jump in terms of hardware updates, so this wasn’t too surprising.

The Apple Watch 3 comes packing the new WatchOS 4 software, which adds greater customisation and some cool new watch faces. The WatchOS 4 update has also rolled out to existing watches, to bring this new functionality to earlier adopters. However, if you want cellular connectivity, you’ll have to upgrade to the Series 3.

When will we see the Apple Watch Series 4 launched? Well, we’d assume September 2018 at the earliest. There’s not much more that Apple can do in terms of hardware improvements, so a new model will likely offer some minor upgrades such as a more slender build. We’re also hoping for longer battery life, thanks to improvements in energy efficiency for the on-board chipset.

 

How can I live stream the next Apple launch event?

You can watch Apple’s launch events live on your Apple TV, or by heading to the Apple Events page on its website. Bear in mind that if you visit the website, you’ll need to do so using Apple’s Safari browser. The likes of Google Chrome won’t work.

How can I watch Apple events like the iPhone 8 launch after they have finished?

Apple keeps videos of its recent launch events and keynotes on the Events page of its website. Just browse there using Safari and you can watch them in full.

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