Could there be an Apple occasion this spring? There is rising proof that new merchandise are on the way in which, starting from new AirPods to a brand new iPad Pro and extra. The occasion would virtually actually be digital due to the continuing pandemic, however there may be loads of precedent for a spring occasion…
March occasion not taking place
First, March 16th gained traction on social media as a possible date for an Apple occasion, however dependable sources quickly shot down that expectation.
Then, March 23rd was also reported as when Apple would maintain its March occasion this yr. While this date was reported by a number of totally different sources, a March 23 occasion didn’t come to fruition. As such, we now count on the primary Apple occasion of the yr to be held in April on the earliest.
Whether or not Apple holds an occasion in April stays to be seen, nevertheless it’s one thing that’s actually a chance given the backlog of merchandise the corporate reportedly has able to announce.
Apple Spring Event historical past
Some Apple occasions are virtually assured to happen yearly, together with WWDC in June and the annual iPhone occasion within the fall. Most years, it’s additionally cheap to count on a second fall occasion centered on the Mac. Last yr, for instance, we had three Apple occasions in three months: iPad and Apple Watch in September, iPhone 12 in October, and Apple Silicon Mac in November.
Spring occasions are more durable to foretell. Apple didn’t maintain a spring occasion in 2020 because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, nevertheless it did announce a brand new iPad Pro, Magic Keyboard, and MacBook Air through press releases in March, adopted by the second-era iPhone SE via a press release in April.
In 2019, Apple held a Spring Event purely dedicated to its Services segment, with particulars on Apple News+, Apple Card, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade. In March 2018, Apple invited everybody to Chicago, where it announced a brand new schooling-centered iPad.
If Apple had been to carry a March Event in 2021, we would count on it to be digital due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic. There is an argument to be made that digital occasions are simpler for Apple to place collectively than in-individual occasions, which lends extra credence to the opportunity of a digital occasion this spring.
Here are some potential candidates for an Apple Spring Event, if one had been to materialize.
New iPad Pro and iPad mini
One of the main rumors is that Apple will launch a brand new iPad Pro with mini-LED show know-how through the first quarter of 2021. The expectation is that the mini-LED backlighting will come to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro first, adopted ultimately by the 11-inch iPad Pro.
The iPad Pro (2021) lineup is anticipated to be nearly similar to the 2020 mannequin in terms of design. So the most important change will doubtless be the show know-how shift, plus a brand new chip doubtless based mostly on the A14 inside for even higher efficiency. 9to5Mac just lately found evidence in iOS and iPadOS code of the brand new A14X processor that’s doubtless for use within the iPad Pro.
Most just lately, Bloomberg reported that the brand new iPad Pro lineup could possibly be introduced as early as April. The report additionally talked about that the brand new iPad Pros will function Thunderbolt connectivity for the primary time. This would open the door to further equipment, reminiscent of exterior shows, storage, and extra.
Apple can be reportedly working on a brand new iPad mini that could possibly be launched this yr. The new iPad mini is claimed to function an 8.4-inch show with smaller bezels. It, sadly, is not going to function a design overhaul just like the iPad Air Four and iPad Pro, with Apple as a substitute retaining the highest and backside bezels, house button, and Touch ID.
Apple final up to date the iPad mini in 2019, bringing a quicker A12 Bionic processor in addition to different enhancements.
Finally, Apple can be rumored to be growing a brand new low-price iPad, however we don’t count on it to be launched till sometime later this year.
Reports of a brand new Apple TV have been circulating for some time now as the present lineup begins to essentially present its age in comparison with competing streaming gadgets. Recent reviews have suggested that a new Apple TV remains to be on monitor for someday in 2021, however particulars are unclear.
Similarly, AirTags have been rumored for 2 years at this level. Apple’s merchandise monitoring equipment are nonetheless expected to be released this year. Whether or not the brand new AirTags or Apple TV materialize this spring stays to be seen, however Jon Prosser just lately tweeted that the accent is on schedule for March.
The Apple Silicon transition continues
Apple has acknowledged that it’ll take roughly two years to transition your complete Mac lineup to Apple Silicon chips. As such, we count on new Apple Silicon Macs to be introduced all through 2021. Rumors currently indicate that we can count on a brand new iMac lineup, in addition to new 14-inch and 16-inch MacE book Pros this yr.
While the brand new MacE book Pro fashions usually are not anticipated to be launched till the second half of 2021, the redesigned iMacs could possibly be coming before that. Apple has stopped promoting a handful of 21.5-inch iMac fashions, and it additionally just lately discontinued the iMac Pro with out a clear alternative.
The new iMacs may actually be introduced at an April Apple occasion if one had been to occur. Given the anticipated redesign, it’s doubtless that Apple would need to maintain an occasion for the iMac introduction, fairly than announce it through a press launch.
iPhone SE 3
Macotakara has reported that Apple can even launch a brand new third-era iPhone SE in April. Details listed here are fully unclear, however a launch in April would come exactly one year after the 4.7-inch iPhone SE was released in 2020. On the flip facet, Ming-Chi Kuo has said Apple will doubtless not announce a brand new iPhone SE till subsequent yr.
Rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a bigger model of the iPhone SE, doubtless with a 5.5-inch display and a design similar to the iPhone 8 Plus. Whether or not this involves fruition in spring of 2021 stays to be seen.
AirPods Three and AirPods Pro 2
Following the introduction of AirPods Max in December, Apple reportedly has updates on the way in which for the remainder of its AirPods lineup in 2021.
New second-era AirPods Pro are rumored to be on the way. AirPods Pro 2 may function a “more compact” design that removes the stem that presently stands proud from the underside of the AirPods Pro.
Bloomberg has cautioned, nevertheless, that such design changes are not guaranteed. Apple is claimed to have confronted challenges eradicating the AirPods Pro stem whereas additionally nonetheless together with options like transparency mode, the H1 chip, and noise cancellations.
Apple can be rumored to be growing new entry-degree AirPods with a shorter stem and replaceable ear ideas. These would function a alternative to the usual AirPods that Apple sells immediately. Pricing info is unclear, however at the least one report has instructed that AirPods 3 will cost roughly 20% less than AirPods Pro, which signifies a $199 worth level.
That being stated, most recent reporting has indicated that new AirPods aren’t more likely to come till someday later this yr, ruling them out for the April occasion.
Apple Spring Event Wrap up
Whether or not Apple holds an April Event this yr stays to be seen. Again, if such an occasion does materialize, we count on it to be fully digital due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While there are sufficient new merchandise being rumored to fill a 60-minute occasion, Apple has confirmed that it’s completely okay asserting new {hardware} through press releases as effectively.
To recap, an April Event would doubtless embrace the introduction of the brand new iPad Pro, AirTags, and maybe new iMacs. Things just like the AirPods Three and iPhone SE Three aren’t anticipated this quickly, and the destiny of the Apple TV is unclear.
What do you suppose? Will Apple maintain an April Event this yr to announce its new iPad {hardware}, iMacs, and extra? Let us know down within the feedback!
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