December is generally a slow month for Apple. There are rarely major new hardware releases, and those are usually announced and pre-ordered earlier, with December shipping dates.
Apple’s biggest new releases in December tend to be operating system updates. We get iOS, iPadOS, and macOS updates towards the end of the year that often add important new features that just weren’t ready for their initial release a few months earlier. This is still the case this year with iOS/iPadOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1. And of course, now that Apple is also a big services company with a constant push of content, you can expect releases for Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade, as well as holiday and end-of-season content. year in places like Apple Music.
Here’s what’s coming from Apple in December 2022.
New hardware versions: Probably not
There is no announced hardware launch in December. Everything announced for the year has already shipped, and everything announced (like new Macs) is expected in March at the earliest.
We’ve been here before, though. Two years ago, the AirPods Max earbuds were surprisingly announced in December with a straight-to-the-web release and no events. At the time, there were vague rumors that Apple would be working on in-ear headphones, but no one expected a release just before the holidays. Apple also announced that the original AirPods went on sale in December 2016 and the iMac Pro in 2017, so December is no stranger to big announcements.
So while we think December is likely to be devoid of new hardware releases, when it comes to Apple you can never be sure!
Apps and software updates
However, we’re pretty sure new software is on the way this month. Apple has been testing its latest iOS, iPadOS, and macOS updates since late October, and we expect them to be released to everyone before the end of the year.
iOS 16.2: We expect iOS 16.2 to launch probably in the first or second week of December. It adds the ability to disable the always-on wallpaper on the iPhone 14 Pro, the Freeform app, new lock screen widgets, and a new faster and more reliable architecture for the Home app.
iPad OS 16.2: iPadOS gets the same features as iOS (where applicable, there are no lock screen widgets, for example) and brings back external display support for Stage Manager in iPads with a chip M1 or M2.
tvOS 16.2: The new Home architecture is included in this release, as is a new Siri recognition feature that will recognize each user’s voices (similar to HomePod).
macOS Ventura 13.1: Most of the changes to macOS here are under the hood (like the new Home architecture), but it includes the new Freeform app, just like iOS and iPadOS.
Services
AppleTV+
Here are the shows, series and movies we plan to stream on Apple TV+ in TK. If you want to know what’s coming next, check out our full guide to upcoming Apple TV+ content.
Slow Horses (Season 2): Sequel to the dark and comedic British spy drama starring Gary Oldman. December 2
Little America (season 2): An anthology of immigrant stories, telling the personal stories of those who come from elsewhere in America. December 9
Emancipation: Will Smith plays Peter, a runaway slave in Louisiana who must evade capture as he heads North, where he joins the Union Army. December 9
Puppy Place (season 2): Charles and Lizzie Peterson have found the perfect way to foster their love of dogs – literally. The siblings take on the difficult but rewarding task of raising puppies and finding their forever home. With each new puppy, a new adventure begins. December 9
apple arcade
Apple releases new games to Apple Arcade on Fridays, but not every Friday has a new game or a major update. See our Apple Arcade FAQ for a full list of Apple Arcade games and more service details. Some games release without notice, but you’ll often see multiple projects listed in the Coming Soon section. These are the versions we know of so far.
Dead cells+: A top notch roguelike side-scrolling action game is coming to Apple Arcade. December 2
JellyCar Worlds: The classic driving/drawing platform game is back. December 9
My Little Pony: Mane Fusion: Play mini games and merge objects in this family puzzle game. December 16