Top Stories: M3 Macs as Early as October, Beats Studio Pro, and More

[MacRumors]

While it was a relatively quiet week for Apple news and rumors, we did learn that the first Macs with the as-yet-unannounced M3 chip could be just three months away from being unveiled, providing us all with something to look forward to.

Other top stories this week included the release of Apple's new Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones, the possibility of iPhone 15 Pro models being in low supply at launch due to a display-related manufacturing issue, and more.

Apple's First M3-Powered Macs Likely to Launch in October

In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the first Macs with an M3 chip could launch as early as October of this year. The first models with the M3 chip will likely be the next 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac.

The M3 chip is widely expected to be fabricated with TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements compared to the 5nm-based M2 chip in the existing 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Beats Studio Pro Debut With Improved Sound Quality, Spatial Audio, USB-C, and More

Apple this week released new Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones, which succeed the previous Beats Studio3 launched in 2017.

Key new features of the Beats Studio Pro compared to the Studio3 include a USB-C port for charging and audio, improved sound quality, longer battery life, a redesigned carrying case, and more. The headphones are priced at $349.99 and are available in four color options.

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max Supplies Could Be Constrained at Launch Due to Display Manufacturing Issues

The upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are rumored to feature thinner bezels around the display, but this change is reportedly causing manufacturing issues that could lead to the devices being in short supply when they launch later this year.

While a Bank of America analyst claimed that iPhone 15 models could be delayed until October, the latest report indicated that a September launch is still likely.

iOS 17: Over 10 New Features in Messages App

iOS 17 includes over 10 new features and changes in the Messages app on the iPhone, so be sure to check out our list to learn all about them.

iOS 17 is currently available as a public beta (here's how to install it on your iPhone), and should be released to all users in September. The software update is compatible with the iPhone XS and newer.

Read our in-depth iOS 17 roundup to learn about other new features.

Next AirPods Max Could Adopt These Five Features From Beats Studio Pro and AirPods Pro

While rumors about new AirPods Max have been slim so far, there are a handful of features that the over-ear headphones could adopt from the new Beats Studio Pro and the second-generation AirPods Pro.

We've rounded up five features that the next AirPods Max are likely to adopt from the Studio Pro and AirPods Pro. However, rumors suggest that the headphones might not be updated until late 2024 to early 2025.

Apple Experimenting With 'Apple GPT' AI Tool, No Launch Planned Yet

Apple employees are... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Top Stories: M3 Macs as Early as October, Beats Studio Pro, and More

 

[gpat]

M3 Macs in 2023 are not happening.
March 2024 at the very earliest.
Feel free to downvote me but this is just absurd.
Analysts can't stoop any lower to get their dose of attention.

 

[Warped9]

M3 Macs in 2023 are not happening.
March 2024 at the very earliest.

Everything I’ve been following around here supports M3 Macs could be released by the end of this year.

M3 iMac 24—BRING IT! I’m waiting!

 

[Spock]

M3 Macs in 2023 are not happening.
March 2024 at the very earliest.
Feel free to downvote me but this is just absurd.
Analysts can't stoop any lower to get their dose of attention.

I agree, they just released the 15 inch MacBook Air with M2 not even a full two months ago. I just can’t see them having that fast of an upgrade cycle on the Air.

 

[klky]

While it was already reported earlier in the year that the Apple Watch 9 update would be mostly iterative, typically as we get closer to September, new rumours start to surface. Besides finally getting a new processor, I've not heard anything else.

Has Apple really run out of ideas or are their current developments for the watch so ambitious that they simply need more time to flesh them out? Either way, this is a very long time (arguably 3-4 years) that the watch updates have been "iterative".

 

[coffeemilktea]

Maybe this year, I'll finally replace my 2017 iMac and my 2019 iPhone 11.

 

[arkmannj]

Bring on the 15 inch M3 MBP with a touchbar above the Function keys, and FaceID!

For me, 15 inch is the “goldilocks” size, and I actually really like the touchbar, I just don’t like it replacing my physical function keys.

I know it likely won’t happen, but that would get me to buy a new machine or two this fall

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Gurman has changed his mind 10 times already, he’ll change it again.

 

[Realityck]

In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the first Macs with an M3 chip could launch as early as October of this year. The first models with the M3 chip will likely be the next 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac.

​

The M3 chip is widely expected to be fabricated with TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements compared to the 5nm-based M2 chip in the existing 13-inch MacBook Pro.

The problem with this rumor is the rumors of TSMC experiencing yield issues along with having to accumulate enough SoC’s to ship the iPhone 15’s A16 SoC. Then recently you had rumors of those phones being constrained in September. This journey towards 3 nm fabrication is obviously challenging for TMSC, so yes awhile back it might have happened, but lately it’s not looking great which is why a lot of opinions have this happening in 2024 for Macs.

 

[EugW]

The problem with this rumor is the rumors of TSMC experiencing yield issues along with having to accumulate enough SoC’s to ship the iPhone 15’s A16 SoC. Then recently you had rumors of those phones being constrained in September. This journey towards 3 nm fabrication is obviously challenging for TMSC, so yes awhile back it might have happened, but lately it’s not looking great which is why a lot of opinions have this happening in 2024 for Macs.

Yes A16 will likely be in iPhone 15 this fall, but at that time the flagship will be iPhone 15 Pro/Max with A17. A16 is already available in the iPhone 14 Pro/Max, made on TSMC's N4P process. A17 will be made on TSMC's N3/N3B process for 2023.

I suspect M3 will likely wait for N3E and skip N3/N3B. However, I could see the actual M3 chips becoming available in 2023 Q4... to Apple... but that would mean 2024 for actual shipping Macs.

 

[gpat]

Yes A16 will likely be in iPhone 15 this fall, but at that time the flagship will be iPhone 15 Pro/Max with A17. A16 is already available in the iPhone 14 Pro/Max, made on TSMC's N4P process. A17 will be made on TSMC's N3/N3B process for 2023.

I suspect M3 will likely wait for N3E and skip N3/N3B. However, I could see the actual M3 chips becoming available in 2023 Q4... to Apple... but that would mean 2024 for actual shipping Macs.

My take on this is that any node is getting milked for good.
N3B = A17 Q4 2023, M3 Q1 2024
N3E = A18 Q4 2024, M4 Q1 2025

 

[FlyingTexan]

They're going to significantly improve on a 20hr battery life? How is this even possible now days. I'll be swapping out my 2020 m1 for a m3.

 

[EugW]

My take on this is that any node is getting milked for good.
N3B = A17 Q4 2023, M3 Q1 2024
N3E = A18 Q4 2024, M4 Q1 2025

N3B is expensive and rumour has it there have been yield issues. Some are claiming that A17 will be N3B initially, and then will switch mid-year to N3E.

I understand that N3E is not design compatible to N3B, but at the volumes Apple ships, it makes sense to have A17 on two different processes, especially considering that A17 will be re-used in 2024 for iPhone 16 non-Pro. So, it could end up something like this:

N3B - 2023H2 A17
N3E - 2024H1 A17, M3, A18

 

[Corefile]

I usually await the experts to tell us what'll happen.

 

[eoblaed]

I know the 16" M3 MBP won't be in the first wave of M3 hardware, but excited to see what it brings. I love my M1 Max to death and had been planning on waiting for the M3 to upgrade... when they do eventually come out (clearly the higher end M3s won't be until next year, spring/summer at the earliest). Seeing comparative performance tests between the M1 and M3 will be nice.

 

[GMShadow]

While it was already reported earlier in the year that the Apple Watch 9 update would be mostly iterative, typically as we get closer to September, new rumours start to surface. Besides finally getting a new processor, I've not heard anything else.

Has Apple really run out of ideas or are their current developments for the watch so ambitious that they simply need more time to flesh them out? Either way, this is a very long time (arguably 3-4 years) that the watch updates have been "iterative".

Most of their attention was focused on the Ultra last time, I think. That said, I suspect cost/fab difficulties and the lack of a seeming true need for more power on the Watch are why they've chosen to continue iterating on the same SoC with just occasional upgrades to the other blocks.

 

[Realityck]

I usually await the experts to tell us what'll happen.

He can't really offer very much insightful with unannounced chips. Even this Macworld M3 article estimates example is being very careful with how much can be claimed.

With new Macs on the way, here's what to expect from Apple's M3 chip

M3 is coming to make Macs faster. But exactly how much faster, and what other features can we expect?

www.macworld.com

The jump to 3nm is a pretty big deal–it brings far greater density and should allow for either faster clock speeds, lower power, or perhaps a little of both.

Those bigger (and lower-volume) M-series chips need to wait for TSMC’s manufacturing capacity to increase and that might not happen until 2024.

 

[gpat]

N3B is expensive and rumour has it there have been yield issues. Some are claiming that A17 will be N3B initially, and then will switch mid-year to N3E.

I understand that N3E is not design compatible to N3B, but at the volumes Apple ships, it makes sense to have A17 on two different processes, especially considering that A17 will be re-used in 2024 for iPhone 16 non-Pro. So, it could end up something like this:

N3B - 2023H2 A17
N3E - 2024H1 A17, M3, A18

Maybe A17 will be another low-volume chip like the A16 and end up on the Pro iPhone only? *shudder*

 

[moshind]

.

 

[ttyRazor]

What happens to the M2 in the Vision Pro? Does it get bumped to the M3 by the time it ships and the M2 only exists on the dev kits and demo units?

 

[Zdigital2015]

M3 Macs in 2023 are not happening.
March 2024 at the very earliest.
Feel free to downvote me but this is just absurd.
Analysts can't stoop any lower to get their dose of attention.

I agree 💯 Their lineup is set going into the holiday quarter, why risk it with a low yield supply of N3P when you have the threat of iPhone 15 shortages and stockpiling Vision Pro for a 2024 launch. People wishing for M3 this year seem to have these rose colored glasses regarding actual time tables. The analysts are just click-baiting at this point.

 

[NewUsername]

I agree, they just released the 15 inch MacBook Air with M2 not even a full two months ago. I just can’t see them having that fast of an upgrade cycle on the Air.

The M2 wouldn’t be discontinued though, it would stay in the lineup with the M3 models. The M1 would be the one to be discontinued.

 

[unWoke_inLA]

I hate hearing this ****, Ive been waiting for a MBA 15" for years and I'm getting ready to buy one as soon as my case comes on the mail in 10 days. I don't want to get started on the M2 and then have to turn around in a few months and have to sell it and buy the M3. And very stupid to put it in the 13" first. 13" is too small.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

What about the upcoming iPad with a 16" display? They're planning on calling it the Max-iPad.

 

[FlyingTexan]

The M2 wouldn’t be discontinued though, it would stay in the lineup with the M3 models. The M1 would be the one to be discontinued.

not if sitting on stock. it will be the base model you get a kid