Apple’s focus in 2024 may be mainly on its wearables division including the Vision Pro

In his new “Power On” newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says that Apple’s focus in 2024 will be more on its wearables division rather than the iPhone as usual.

“The iPhone will still get an upgrade next year, of course,” he writes. “It’s the company’s most important product and still brings in more than half of revenue. But there won’t be major changes: Apple plans to retain the iPhone 15’s design while increasing screen sizes on the Pro version. Lower-end models will get the Action button, and there will be a new dedicated button for taking video.”

However, he thinks that, in addition to the upcoming Vision Pro, Apple will release overhauled versions of its lower-end AirPods and compelling health features for the Apple Watch. Here’s what Gurman is predicting:

° Two new fourth-generation non-AirPods Pro models that have updated designs, redesigned cases and USB-C charging. The upper-end version of the two models will include active noise cancellation, bringing that feature to a lower price point.

° An AirPod model that trades in the Lightning charger for USB-C and potentially adds new colors. Other new Pro features, such as body-temperature and health tracking, remain in early development. 

° A major software-based development: hearing aid functionality. The company plans to release that feature later next year, and it could be the start of something big. Apple believes its take on the hearing aid has the potential to upend a multibillion-dollar industry.

° The Apple Watch is also due for a boost, with the company planning at least one model with a new look. More significantly, Apple is working on a pair of health features designed to take the smartwatch to new heights: hypertension and sleep apnea detection. This technology will alert users if it believes they have one of the conditions and suggest follow-up testing.

° Apple is still trying to figure out the key selling points for the Vision Pro, but does seem to believe it could become a big part of its financial story within a few years. People within the company like to compare it to the Apple Watch, noting that the first three generations of that product weren’t very good. By the time the fourth model rolled around, the hardware was up to par and sales began humming

° The iPad is also due for major changes. The Pro version is getting revamped, and the Air will have the option of a larger screen. The iPad mini and entry-level model, meanwhile, are getting faster chips.

° The Mac is due for big upgrades too, with the MacBook Air slated to gain the M3 chip soon. And new MacBook Pros, codenamed J614 and J616, are already in development.

This info from Gurman is from the free edition of “Power On”. If you like it, consider subscribing to Bloomberg.com—you’ll receive the newsletter earlier and get exclusive access to a Q&A section.