• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire

2

The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure

3

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

1

The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire

2

The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure

3

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
TechApple

A Bigger iPhone, a New iPad, and the Long-Awaited HomePod: What to Expect From Apple in 2018

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 27, 2017, 9:00 AM ET

It’s hard to predict anything but a good future for Apple. After all, the company has shown no signs of letting up and profits keep pouring in.

And truth be told, 2018 doesn’t look to be all that bad of a year for Apple (AAPL). Core components in its business, including its iPhone division, seem poised for continued growth and there’s a strong possibility that its two weak spots—the iPad and its China unit—are back on the upswing. At first blush, 2018 appears to be ripe for growth.

But further inspection reveals some weak spots that could become more pronounced next year if Apple doesn’t address them. Apple Music is still in second place in the music streaming market and Apple has yet to deliver the HomePod smart home speaker. And the onus is still on Apple to keep growing its iPhone business each year, despite widespread popularity around the world.

So, what will 2018 hold for Apple? Here’s what I’m predicting:

The iPhone ‘Super-Cycle’ Is Real

We’ve been hearing for months that Apple is poised to benefit from an iPhone “super-cycle” of consumers around the globe who will buy new iPhones in droves after holding on to older devices for longer than they had in the past. That will happen next year. And when it does, expect iPhone sales—and Apple’s profitability—to soar.

An Even Bigger iPhone

With a 5.8-inch screen, the iPhone X is Apple’s biggest smartphone ever. I think next year Apple will offer a new model with a screen in excess of six inches. And when it does, expect that version to be wildly successful.

iPads Grow in Popularity

After several quarters of decline, the iPad is showing signs of life. And now, Apple is rumored to be working on a big update. Look for that update early in 2018 and for iPad sales to soar along with it.

Services Division Continues to Soar

Apple’s Services division, which includes the App Store, Apple Music, and others, will only grow in 2018. The Services division isn’t flashy, but it’s the unit that will keep Apple’s profitability up.

Apple Delivers a HomePod Surprise

We’ll see the HomePod early next year. And when we do, expect it to come with booming sound and perhaps better Siri integration than we might anticipate. Something’s up with that HomePod, and I’m looking forward to seeing what that is.

Apple Music Continues to Grow

Apple Music will continue to gain subscribers in 2018, but I’ve yet to see the feature that can finally take down the market leader Spotify. Is that coming next year? Probably not.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter

Augmented Reality Takes Shape

Apple has been clear that it’s bullish on augmented reality, and there are reports it’s working on a headset that utilizes that technology. While I don’t think we’ll see that headset next year, I do believe Apple will enhance its iPhones and iPads with features that prove it’s getting more serious by the day about the future of augmented reality.

A Wildly Expensive Mac Pro

Apple has already promised a Mac Pro for power users. And chances are, that desktop computer will be its most powerful yet. But since this year’s iMac Pro starts at $5,000 and tops out at more than $13,000, look for the Mac Pro to be even more expensive. Is a $20,000 Mac Pro in the works?

Apple, the Political Machine

Apple hasn’t been shy about taking on President Donald Trump on everything from the environment to immigration. And I doubt that will change next year. I think Apple views itself as a cultural leader with a political voice. And it might get louder in 2018.

A Big Acquisition (or Two)

Shareholders worried about China, iPhone sales, and the Mac have been calling on Apple to make a game-changing acquisition for quite some time. But Apple has so far balked. I think that will change in 2018 and Apple could make one or two big acquisitions. My guess: A major acquisition in the entertainment and/or original content spaces.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

le
AIReligion
Pope Leo called AI an ‘instrument of domination, exclusion and death.’ Anthropic was in the room
By Nicole Winfield, Kaitlyn Huamani, Paolo Santalucia and The Associated PressMay 25, 2026
12 hours ago
r
EuropeRussia
A country of 2.9 million people on Russia’s border just had 600,000 national records stolen
By The Associated PressMay 25, 2026
13 hours ago
g
EnvironmentLaw
You can’t repair your tractor because Hollywood was terrified of the VCR
By Oana Godeanu-Kenworthy and The ConversationMay 25, 2026
14 hours ago
Antonio Gracias, founder, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of Valor Equity Partners
InvestingSpaceX
Elon Musk’s best friend could make more than $100 billion from SpaceX’s IPO. His firm is also owed billions by SpaceX
By Eva RoytburgMay 25, 2026
17 hours ago
Huawei touts chip breakthrough to shorten gap with TSMC
AsiaChina
Huawei touts chip breakthrough to shorten gap with TSMC
By BloombergMay 25, 2026
17 hours ago
mollick
Economydisruption
‘Nobody knows anything’ and ‘this time is different’: the phrases that define — and haunt — the AI economy
By Nick LichtenbergMay 25, 2026
17 hours ago

Most Popular

The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire
Economy
The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire
By Nick LichtenbergMay 25, 2026
21 hours ago
The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure
Travel & Leisure
The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure
By Catherina GioinoMay 25, 2026
18 hours ago
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
5 days ago
Elon Musk's best friend could make more than $100 billion from SpaceX's IPO. His firm is also owed billions by SpaceX
Investing
Elon Musk's best friend could make more than $100 billion from SpaceX's IPO. His firm is also owed billions by SpaceX
By Eva RoytburgMay 25, 2026
17 hours ago
A billionaire and an A-list actor found refuge in a 37-home Florida neighborhood with armed guards—proof that privacy is now the ultimate luxury
Real Estate
A billionaire and an A-list actor found refuge in a 37-home Florida neighborhood with armed guards—proof that privacy is now the ultimate luxury
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezMay 25, 2026
18 hours ago
Uber CEO says rideshare 'freed up' his son from having to get a driver’s license—and he's one of many Gen Zers who aren’t willing to drive
Lifestyle
Uber CEO says rideshare 'freed up' his son from having to get a driver’s license—and he's one of many Gen Zers who aren’t willing to drive
By Sasha RogelbergMay 24, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.