If you do n’t track Apple rumors as meticulously as we do here at Macworld , you might be a little disoriented this week . While we were all project to follow an Apple effect next week , that all came crash down when a stir of new rumors ( that contradicted the old rumors ) leave us all come up our heads . If you ’re bewildered , rent us give it all down for you .
Will there be a spring event?
It was antecedently rumored that Apple would be holding an consequence in late March , with March 23 pinpointed by the great unwashed who were purportedly in the know . That no longer seems to be the eccentric . For one , Apple has n’t place out invitations for a March event yet , which it most likely would have done by now , even for a virtual event . Plus , Jon Prosser , who had previously swan by the March 23 escort , double back yesterday and said the event will in reality be held in April .
We do n’t really have any indicant that Apple will be holding a leap event at all , so we would n’t needfully bet on an April event either . Prosser is the only leaker so far to promise an April event , so until we get some check from Mark Gurman or some other honest source of rumors , we ’re going to persist skeptical .
What is releasing this spring?
Originally , we thought Apple ’s spring event would bring three newfangled products : the fifth - gen iPad Pro , third - gen AirPods , and the launch of Apple ’s long - rumored AirTags . But now we ’re not so sure . Here ’s what ’s we ask from a spring consequence or ware launch .
Fifth-gen iPad Pro
Apple / IDG
The iPad Pro is on the face of it still on runway for a spring launch . Apple ’s flagship pad is all but certain to gain 5 G networking and an A14 chip like the iPhone 13 , which would lay it firmly at the top of the tab food range . A report in Bloombergalso claims the iPad Pro might be stupefy a Thunderbolt connective , an climb over the current USB - C port . While the connector is the same , the new port would bring faster data transfers and higher - resolution video display bread and butter .
Bloomberg also articulate the larger 12.9 - inch model might also be getting a mini light-emitting diode display “ which would be brilliant and have improved contrast ratios . ” We ’ve heard hearsay of a mini - LED iPad for a while , with Ming - Chi Kuo previously report that production would start in April .
AirTags
IDG
AirTags have been rumored for years , and there has n’t been a recent Apple event that did n’t include a rumor about its waiver . Speculation is that they would be circular Bluetooth trackers that can attach to non - Apple devices like haversack and keys . like to Tile trackers , AirTags will presumably have a wooden leg up on its challenger by tapping into the U1 radical wideband buffalo chip in the iPhone 11 and 12 , Apple Watch Series 6 to enable exact location trailing . AirTags will also reportedly tap into the enceinte iPhone connection to help recover suffer items that are out of Bluetooth range . When someone using an iPhone passes by your lose key , for example , it would place anonymous location data to your earphone so you may track them down in the Find My app .
What about AirPods?
Roman Loyola / IDG
Despite a torrent of leaks include propose merchandise images , a rumor earlier this hebdomad by oft - accurate Ming - Chi Kuo saidAirPods production had been pushed backto the third quarter of 2021 , likely signify a fall launch alongside the iPhone 13 . When they do turn , the new AirPods are expected to have shorter stems like the AirPods Pro , but reportedly wo n’t bring high - end features like randomness - cancelation .
The rumor pulverisation calls these “ AirPods 3 , ” but there was never really an “ AirPods 2 . ” There was a modest update to the original AirPods , which were still just called AirPods . It ’s unreadable whether these new models will get an updated name or not .
What’s coming later in the year?
Beyond April , rumors are very sketchy , but here ’s what we expect in 2021 :
iPhone 13 or 12s : We do n’t know what it will be shout out , but you may bet any amount of money ona new iPhone launching in the fall . They ’re potential to keep the same design but could have a smaller notch and in - display Touch ID .
Apple Watch Series 7 : Like the iPhone , Apple launches a new watch each twelvemonth like clockwork . We have n’t heard any details about a potential Modern model , however .
iPad and iPad mini : Bloomberg reportsthat Apple is working on a 9th - gen iPad with a thinner and lighter design , as well as a fresh iPad miniskirt with a larger sieve . Apple has n’t changed the mini ’s 7.9 - in screen since it set up in 2012 .
MacBook Pro : The Apple silicon conversion is expected to ramp up this twelvemonth , withrumored 14 - inch and 16 - inch MacBook Pro modelson the way . They could bring some big changes to the line of descent , including an HDMI interface , SD posting reader , and MagSafe charging , as well as the possible remotion of the TouchBar . to boot , they may get mini - LED showing that are brighter and thin . New models are likely to arrive in the 2d half of the year .
iMac : The iMac is also rumored to geta major Apple silicon - based redesignthat cut back the bezel , take away the Kuki-Chin , and adds more ports . They could come as ahead of time as WWDC in June or July .
