Apple ended their year very busy as they unveiled product after product every month of the fourth quarter. They put out a new iPad and Apple Watch in September, the new iPhone 12 series came in October, November saw the new Apple Silicon M1 processor and new first batch of M1 Macs, and the AirPods Max was unveiled in December.
With all key products released, you’d think Apple will miss the headlines this January but they’re still here; this time it’s courtesy of the rumor mills. The new iPhone 12 isn’t even two months in the market and yet there’s already talk about the next iteration, so do for the other products.
I’ve compiled them all here so you can decide if you should wait, or pull the trigger on your intended purchase.
AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2
The AirPods are apparently undergoing a redesign to align it with the shape of the Pro. It still won’t have the advantages of active noise cancellation and transparency mode, but implementation of the in-ear design, instead of the current resting on the ear, might help users hear their audio better.
Apple is a bit torn about the Pro line though. Rumors say that they’re trying to chase the flush form factor of the Amazon Echo or Samsung Galaxy Buds by removing the stem of the AirPods Pro. But doing so means they have to remove the transparency mode, active noise cancellation, and H1 chip and so there’s no final word if they’re going for a redesign or just an improvement in features. The case of the Pro is said to be smaller than the current, but the thickness is the same. It would just be shorter and a bit less wider.
There’s no word for the release of the AirPods 3 but the AirPods Pro 2 are being aimed for an April launch.
AirTags
It’s been rumored for a while now but reliable leaker Ming-Chi Kuo and his sources claim that the AirTags are a sure release this 2021. If you’re not aware yet, AirTags are little devices you can attach like a keychain to your keys, backpacks, etc. You can find your Tag via Find My app.
Accessory makers are also preparing for the new product from Apple, with their pending designs also being leaked. In a tweet, we see a preview of Spigen’s design for the AirTags holder, while Evan Blass published an exclusive look for Nomad’s take on a holder for the new device.
Macs
Apple has applied for a new patent regarding use of titanium in their premium devices, apart from its use on the Apple Watch. This may result in a new new finish texture for the Macs, or a lighter device for the iPhone and iPad since titanium is a lot stronger than aluminum, meaning you can utilize a thinner piece.
The Macbooks will be redesigned with the Air having a new higher-level model apart from the one released last November, but it’s not expected until later this year or early 2022. It’s said the Pros will be in 14 and 16-inch versions and will follow the aesthetic of the iPad Pro and iPhone 12 series with flat panels, squared-off sides, and might use miniLED technology for the screen.
As for the other features, the Touchbar might go away, and MagSafe might make a comeback due to faster charging capabilities. Ports like USB-A and SD card readers might return, though nothing is final.
The iMac will also undergo a redesign with it following the look of the ProDisplay XDR – that is its bezels will be smaller and the ‘chin’ where you put post-in notes will be gone. I’ll miss that part. It’s back will also be flat, again, like the current iPads.
Apple is also reportedly planning a cheaper external display, because the only one they have right now is the ProDisplay XDR that costs $4999. The former Thunderbolt Display at $999 was discontinued years ago. There’s still no pricing rumors on this new monitor.
Mac Pros will also have an addition to its lineup. It’s said that the current one will be retained with Intel processors, but Apple will release a smaller one that utilizes the M1 chip.
iOS
There are plans to drop support for iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, SE 2016, iPad Mini 4, iPad Air 2, and iPad 5. Nothing is final until Tim Cook says it officially, but for the age of those devices, it’s no surprise if they will indeed be axed from the support list.
iPhone
Unlike the transition from iPhone 11 to 12, next year’s iPhone is still unsure if it will be a 12S or 13. However, there are lots of improvements being thrown around for the next batch. There will be a smaller notch, sensor-shift OIS and LiDAR scanner for all models, in-screen fingerprint scanner, and lens improvement in the ultrawide and telephoto cameras.
Apple is also said to be working on the foldable iPhone but it’s still far from production.
iPad
There’s not much overhaul being done on the iPad side of things. The next mini will come with a bigger screen around 8.5-inches, a thinner and lighter entry-level iPad, and the iPad Pro will use miniLED in its screen. Aside from those, other details are still scarce.
Apple Car
After being reportedly shelved, the work on the Apple car resumes with more ex-Tesla executives joining the fray. Ultimately, the news that the project was resumed is courtesy of Hyundai who admitted to working with Apple in the early stages for the car and hopes to release it by 2024. They backtracked their statement though, due to Apple’s secrecy.
If real, Apple partnering up with an experienced manufacturer will give them a huge leg-up against Tesla who’s bogged down by manufacturing and after-sales flaws.
BONUS: Apple VR
There’s also talks among supply chain leakers that Apple is developing a VR device, rather than an AR. Augmented Reality (AR) means digital information is imposed in your vision by way of glasses or goggles. Virtual reality (VR) blocks your vision totally and makes you see a digital screen – the one we’re all familiar with by now.
Reports say that Apple is making VR a stepping stone towards AR, despite the latter being cheaper, but we wouldn’t really know unless they’ve officially announced it.
Take everything with a grain of salt though because even though most of these leaks are slated for 2021, things can change depending on capacity of the supply chain and other factors. The AirTags, for example, are being talked about since mid-last year and rumored to be released by Q4 2020 but until now, it’s nowhere. As for the popular devices like the AirPods, it’s best to wait it out.
Historically, we’ll have our first Apple event by March. It will dictate how legitimate these rumors are. Until then, it’s best to hold out on your precious savings.
