Apple’s September event happened earlier this week. But now that preorders for new iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods models have all started, it’s time to look ahead to the next batch of new products, all of which very much seem like they could merit an October event.
Apple’s history of October events and launches
September is typically the biggest launch month for Apple, but the company almost always follows it up with more product launches in October.
Recent Octobers have included introductions for the following:
2024 : M4 MacBook Pro, M4 iMac, M4 Mac mini, iPad mini
: M4 MacBook Pro, M4 iMac, M4 Mac mini, iPad mini 2023 : M3 MacBook Pro, M3 iMac
: M3 MacBook Pro, M3 iMac 2022 : Apple TV 4K, M2 iPad Pro, iPad base model
: Apple TV 4K, M2 iPad Pro, iPad base model 2021: M1 MacBook Pro, AirPods 3, HomePod mini colors w/ Apple Music Voice
Apple held October events in 2023 and 2021, opted for press release launches in 2022, and in 2024 did something unique: the iPad mini arrived via press release, while the M4 Macs debuted on three consecutive launch days.
If Apple deemed last year’s M4 Mac introduction a success, we could see a similar multi-day approach happen this year.
However, if the company wants to hold a proper October event, there are certainly plenty of rumored products coming to justify it.
Apple has lots of new products for a possible October event
Rumors indicate there are at least five new products planned for this fall:
Most years, Apple launches new Macs in October too. Although an M5 MacBook Pro is coming soon, the latest reporting indicates it’s been pushed into early 2026.
One other Mac wildcard is the rumored low-cost 12.9-inch MacBook with an A18 Pro chip. Early 2026 timing seems more likely, but a surprise launch heading into the holidays might make sense.
Even with no Macs, though, Apple has five products that could easily fill an October event—or be split into a multi-day October rollout.
AirTag has proven very popular since its 2021 debut, and depending on how big of upgrades AirTag 2 packs, Apple could easily give it some stage time.
The M5 iPad Pro and Vision Pro 2 might potentially be paired together as two M5-equipped products. I’d expect a healthy emphasis on the M5 chip’s capabilities, since neither hardware update is expected to come with especially big advancements besides the chip.
Finally, Apple could pair its new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini as part of an Apple Home presentation—setting a foundation for next year’s bigger Home products push.
As another wildcard, services could get a highlight too. Apple’s always a fan of Apple TV+ plugs, and the streamer has some big new shows coming to promote. Apple Music also gets big upgrades in iOS 26 too, so perhaps a fresh Apple One push is on the way.
All of these expected announcements could merit an hour-long October event, or a few separate 10-15 minute introductions on successive days. But unlike September launches, which are usually fairly predictable, Apple likes to keep us guessing with its October rollout plans.
Do you think Apple will hold an October event? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.
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