Apple present and concept products

September 27, 2021 ・0 comments

The MacRumors guide to upcoming products is designed to provide an overview of everything that we're expecting to see from Apple, both in the near and more distant future. Dates listed are not always concrete, but are based on the most recent rumors and information that we have.

MR Future Products 2020 2
We're updating the guide on a regular basis, so it will be the go-to place to see every Apple product that's on the horizon at a glance. For more detail on the rumors we've heard about each upcoming item, make sure to click on the links to visit our roundups.

First Half of 2021

Apple held an event in April 2021 and introduced AirTags, new iMac models, an updated Apple TV 4K, and refreshed versions of the 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

WWDC

Apple held the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, debuting iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, tvOS 15, and macOS 12 Monterey. Details on everything new in these software updates can be found in our dedicated roundups.

No new hardware was introduced at WWDC, with Apple instead focusing on the new software updates that were released in the fall.

September 14 event

Apple held its annual iPhone-centric event on Tuesday, September 14. At the "California Streaming" event, Apple unveiled the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, all of which launched on September 24.

Apple also introduced the iPad mini 6 and the ninth-generation iPad, also with a September 24 release date.

The Apple Watch Series 7 was introduced at the September event, but due to supply constraints caused by manufacturing issues, it has been delayed until later in the fall.

Upcoming October/November Event

Apple is expected to hold multiple fall events, so after we see the new iPhone and Apple Watch at the September event, we can expect a second event to take place in October or November. It's not yet clear if we'll have just two events or three like Apple held in the fall of 2020.

MacBook Pro - Apple is working on 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that are expected in the third quarter of 2021. The new machines will feature the most significant design overhaul to the MacBook Pro line that we've seen since 2016, introducing a flat-edged design. The new MacBook Pros will charge over MagSafe, will have more ports, and will have physical function keys instead of a Touch Bar. It will use upgraded Apple M1X silicon chips with a 10-core CPU that features eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, along with 16-core or 32-core GPU options and support for up to 64GB RAM. We're expecting the MacBook Pro at some point between September and November.
Mac mini - Apple is developing a high-end version of the Mac mini, which will feature additional ports and a more powerful Apple silicon chip. It will include an improved version of the M1 chip with a 10-core CPU that has eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, plus 16-core or 32-core GPU options. The Apple silicon chip will support up to 64GB RAM and four Thunderbolt ports. It's supposed to use the same chip that the MacBook Pro will use, so it could come out in the fall too.
AirPods 3 - Apple is working on a new version of the AirPods, which will look similar to the AirPods Pro, but without Active Noise Cancellation, allowing Apple to sell them at a lower price point. There were multiple rumors suggesting the AirPods 3 would launch in the first half of 2021, but that information was inaccurate and it now appears AirPods are launching in the third quarter. Mass production is set to begin in August, which means we could see a September launch alongside new iPhones.

Products Coming in 2022

MacBook Air - Apple is developing a thinner and lighter version of the MacBook Air that will have thinner bezels than the current model. The machine will feature a mini-LED display, MagSafe charging technology and a pair of USB 4 ports for connecting external devices. It will include an faster version of the M1 chip with the same number of computing cores as the M1 (eight). The new Apple silicon chip will support better graphics with nine or 10 GPU cores instead of the seven or eight in the current M1 MacBook Air. Some rumors suggested we'd see the MacBook Air in 2021, but new information indicates it's not coming until 0222.
AirPods Pro - Apple is working on a new version of the AirPods Pro with a more compact design and a new wireless chip. The design is said to eliminate the short stem that sticks out from the bottom, resulting in a more rounded shape closer in design to competing wire-free earbuds from Google and Samsung.
iPhone SE - Apple is rumored to be developing a new version of the iPhone SE with 5G and an upgraded processor, with a release expected in the first half of 2022.

Products With Unknown Release Dates

Mac Pro - Apple is working on two versions of the Mac Pro, both of which feature a redesigned chassis that's smaller in size. The new Mac Pro models will feature high-end Apple silicon chip options with 20 or 40 computing cores, made up of 6 high-performance or 32 high-performance cores and four or eight high-efficiency cores. These upgraded chips are also expected to include 64 or 128 core GPUs.
Larger iMac - Apple is still developing a larger version of the iMac with more powerful Apple silicon chips, but paused work on the larger version to launch the 24-inch iMac model. There is no word on when the larger variant of the iMac might launch, but it is expected to include much more powerful Apple silicon chips.

Further in the Future

AR/VR Headset - Apple is working on augmented/virtual reality headset that could come at some in 2022 or 2023. The headset is said to feature a dedicated display, built-in processor, and an "rOS" or reality operating system. Input will be via touch panels, voice activation, and head gestures, and it's said to have a high price point at around $2,000. Current rumors suggest a launch at the end of 2022.
Foldable iPhone - Apple is allegedly working on a foldable iPhone that might be between 7.5 and 8 inches, with a launch date slated for 2023 at the earliest.
Apple Car - There have been a lot of twists and turns in the saga of Apple's electric car development, but reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is still planning on a full autonomous vehicle rather than just an autonomous car software offering, with a launch to happen between 2023 and 2025.

2021 Product Refreshes and Announcements

We have a list of all the products that Apple has released so far in 2021.

April 2021 - M1 iPad Pro
April 2021 - M1 iMac
April 2021 - AirTag
April 2021 - Apple TV 4K
April 2021 - Podcast subscriptions
May 2021 - Apple Music Lossless and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
June 2021 - macOS 12 Monterey (Announced)
July 2021 - MagSafe Battery Pack
September 2021 - iPhone 13 models
September 2021 - iPhone 13 Pro models
September 2021 - iPad mini 6
September 2021 - Ninth-generation iPad
September 2021 - Apple Watch Series 7 (Announced)
September 2021 - iOS 15
September 2021 - iPadOS 15
September 2021 - watchOS 8
September 2021 - tvOS 15

2020 Product Refreshes and Announcements

This list of all of the products that Apple introduced in 2020 is useful for predicting some of the dates when we might see 2021 devices.

March 2020 - iPad Pro
March 2020 - Magic Keyboard
March 2020 - MacBook Air
March 2020 - Mac mini
March 2020 - Powerbeats
April 2020 - iPhone SE
May 2020 - 13-inch MacBook Pro
June 2020 - Apple Silicon chip plans
June 2020 - iOS 14
June 2020 - macOS Big Sur
June 2020 - iPadOS 14
June 2020 - watchOS 7
June 2020 - tvOS 14
August 2020 - 27-inch iMac
September 2020 - Apple Watch Series 6
September 2020 - Apple Watch SE
September 2020 - iPad Air
September 2020 - Eighth-Generation iPad
October 2020 - iPhone 12 and 12 mini
October 2020 - iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
October 2020 - HomePod mini
October 2020 - MagSafe
November 2020 - M1 MacBook Air
November 2020 - M1 MacBook Pro
November 2020 - M1 Mac mini
November 2020 - macOS Big Sur
December 2020 - AirPods Max
December 2020 - Apple Fitness+