October 30, 2023 – Apple is set to hold a “Swift Momentum” event on October 31st at 8 AM Beijing time, where they may unveil some new products, including updated Macs and iPads. However, prior to the event, regulatory filings may have already provided a glimpse of what to expect.
According to information uncovered by MacRumors, two Apple suppliers recently resubmitted battery data for existing Apple products to a Chinese regulatory database. The products listed include the latest 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, Magic Keyboard for Mac, and the iPad Mini. Notably, these batteries were originally submitted in 2021 or earlier, but in their recent resubmission, they were tagged with an October 2023 release date.
The resubmitted battery information indicates that the new products are likely to have the same battery capacities as their predecessors. However, due to advancements in chip efficiency, these new devices may offer improved battery life.
History suggests that resubmitted battery information can hint at the existence of new products. For example, the battery data for the Apple Watch Series 8 was resubmitted to the same regulatory database before the release of the Apple Watch Series 9, and the Series 8 battery was indeed used in the Series 9.
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the 24-inch iMac is expected to receive an upgrade with the M3 chip, and the accessories for Mac, including the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad, will transition from Lightning to USB-C connectors. Apple plans to include the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse in the iMac’s packaging. Gurman also predicts that the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will be updated with the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips.
Of particular interest is the inclusion of battery information for the sixth-generation iPad Mini, potentially indicating that the seventh-generation iPad Mini will reuse this battery. Gurman reported last week that Apple does not intend to release a new iPad until 2024, and prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also suggested that a new iPad is unlikely to be launched before the end of this year. As a result, the release of a new iPad Mini at the event remains uncertain.
In September 2021, Apple unveiled the sixth-generation iPad Mini. The next-generation model may feature the A16 Bionic chip introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro and possibly offer improvements to reduce the “jelly scrolling” effect.
Earlier rumors this month about the imminent release of a new iPad turned out to be inaccurate. Instead, Apple announced a budget-friendly Apple Pencil with a USB-C connector in a press release. The new Apple Pencil is expected to hit the market in early November, and any new products revealed at the upcoming event may also be available around the same time.
In summary, the information found in the regulatory database aligns with the expected updates to the 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and 24-inch iMac. While the release of a new iPad Mini remains uncertain, we’ll have concrete answers in just 24 hours.
