A Year in Review: Apple’s 2024 — Triumphs and Challenges
This year I upgraded three important Apple devices. Apple must be doing something good. And yet…
As 2024 comes to a close, Apple’s year can best be described as one of significant strides in hardware but uneven performance in other areas. For me, this was a year of notable upgrades: my Apple Watch, Mac mini, and iPad Pro all received meaningful updates. Among them, the M4 Mac mini stood out as the star upgrade, followed closely by the M4 iPad Pro and the Apple Watch Series 10. These personal milestones mirror the broader narrative of Apple’s hardware achievements in 2024.
The Mac Shines with M4 Processors
Apple’s Mac lineup had a stellar year, driven by the introduction of the M4 processor series. This leap in processing power enabled the release of more capable and efficient Macs, with the redesigned Mac mini taking center stage. The M4’s performance improvements and energy efficiency in both desktop and laptop devices solidify Apple’s dominance in this space. For Mac enthusiasts, especially Mac mini fans, 2024 will likely be remembered as a landmark year that redefined expectations for computing performance in a small package.
iPhone 16 Camera Control: A Missed Opportunity
The iPhone 16 launched with significant buzz around its new camera control features, positioned as a game changer for photography enthusiasts. However, the reality didn’t meet the hype. The controls were criticized for being finicky and unreliable, leading many users to abandon them altogether. This illustrates the challenge Apple faces in balancing cutting-edge innovation with practical usability—an area where even the most seasoned companies can stumble.
iPad Pro and iPadOS 18: A Mixed Bag
The iPad narrative in 2024 was a story of contrasts. On the hardware side, the M4-equipped iPad Pro received praise for its upgraded display and powerful processor, making it a strong choice for professionals and creatives. On the software side, however, iPadOS 18 offered little in the way of innovation, marking it as a "tock" year. The lack of impactful software updates left some iPad fans feeling underwhelmed, emphasizing the need for a more synchronized hardware-software evolution.
The Series 10
The Apple Watch is now ten years old. Many tech pundits expected a complete redesign, but it didn’t come. The Series Ultra has a new colour: black. On a personal level, my Series 8 had a battery life problem, which rendered my watch useless near the end of the afternoon. I had to do something about it. Beyond a fresh new battery, the Apple Watch Series 10 offers meaningful upgrades, particularly for older models like the Series 6 or 8. It introduces a larger display, smoother design refinements, improved responsiveness, and valuable features like the double-tap gesture and on-device translation. While the backup & restore process is still a hit or miss, I’m happy with the Series 10. Yet, this upgrade might be the least meaningful of all.
Apple Intelligence: A Lukewarm Start
The Apple Silicon story continues to evolve impressively, but 2024 began a new chapter: integrating on-device Apple Intelligence with generative AI services in the cloud. Unfortunately, Apple Intelligence’s debut was underwhelming. While the potential is immense, many users compared it unfavourably to established services like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Apple’s efforts in AI remain in their infancy, and the lukewarm reception highlights the need for further refinement and competitive features to win over users.
The App Store Monopoly?
Apple is slowly moving forward with opening the iPhone, under the constant pressure of the EU. The App Store is at the center of this and Apple is still reluctant to budge. While the EU won't see Apple Intelligence anytime soon, they do get a peak at a more open iPhone with third-party App Stores. Maybe those changes will come to other parts of the world later. Who knows.
Apple Vision Pro: Fading Interest and Untapped Potential
The Apple Vision Pro, initially hailed as a groundbreaking entry into the mixed reality space, faced a significant drop in interest as the year progressed. While its announcement generated excitement, the high price point and limited practical applications dampened enthusiasm. Early adopters praised its technical capabilities, but the platform’s untapped potential was further hindered by a lack of developer interest. Without compelling applications, the Vision Pro felt like a solution in search of a problem. This dual challenge of engaging both consumers and developers highlights the hurdles Apple must overcome to make augmented reality a mainstream success.
Closing Thoughts
On a personal level, 2024 stands out as a remarkable (and expansive) year of Apple upgrades. The upgraded devices in my ecosystem reflect the significance of Apple’s advancements in hardware. At the same time, I’m ready to take a break from upgrades for now, as these investments have revitalized my setup and satisfied my tech needs for the foreseeable future. That said, 2025 might be the year when I consider upgrading my iPhone 15 Pro Max to the iPhone 17 Pro, or whatever name Apple decides to give it. Perhaps by then, Apple will have tweaked the camera control to make it more usable.
For sure, 2024 was an exceptional year for Apple in many ways, particularly in hardware. The M4 processor series and new Macs were high points, while areas like AI and certain iPhone features fell short of expectations. The Vision Pro also highlighted both the company’s ambition and the challenges of pushing into new markets. Looking ahead, Apple’s challenge will be to build on these successes and address the areas where they faltered. Some have also started to question whether a leadership change might be beneficial for Apple’s future. Tim Cook and Phil Schiller, longtime leaders at the helm, have faced increasing scrutiny. A fresh perspective at the top could potentially reinvigorate Apple’s approach and help tackle its current challenges.
One more thing, Basic Apple Guy’s year in review is really worth a read. Header image generated with Apple Image Playground.
My scores for Apple in 2024
HW reliability: Apple hardware is first class. I never had a problem with Apple devices in a long time. 5/5
SW Quality: I think this year's releases are doing just fine with a few cool things. I don't see any horror story to talk about. I’m not referring to Apple Intelligence of course. 4/5
iPhone: The iPhone 16 is an iterative version of last year's iPhone; camera control is a flop. 4.5/5
Mac: It’s the best time to be a Mac user, thanks to Apple Silicon. 5/5
iPad: Hardware is always way ahead of software. Again. 4/5
Wearables: AirPods continue to impress with software updates. 4.5/5
Watch: No new sensor, but a refined design. I’m ok with it. 4/5
Environment/Social: Apple's entry into generative AI might put the carbon-neutral target in 2030 goals at risk. 4/5
Services: Still no Apple Pay Cash in Canada. Still 5GB entry level of storage. Price increased in 2024. There are too many ads for a premium brand. 2/5
Developers relations: Beyond the official discourse, actions speak louder. Not a good year for Apple, but a good one for their lawyers. (2/5)
Apple TV: No new hardware. Boring. Software seems at a standstill. 3.5/5
HomeKit: Matter support doesn't make a difference for me. 3.5/5
