When will Apple host another launch event? We’ll have to wait and see what rumors say.
Angela Lang/CNET
The iPhone 13 lineup, Apple Watch 7 and upgraded MacBook Pro laptops were some of the many products Apple showed off in 2021. But as we approach the new year, rumors about what the tech giant has in store for 2022 and when the next event will be held continue to multiply.
In his latest investors note, reported on by Macrumors, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts 2022 could bring the AirPods Pro 2, Apple Watch Series 8, a second generation of the Apple Watch SE and a more durable “extreme sports version” of the Apple Watch. As for the iPhone SE, Kuo forecasts two new models could be on the way, one for 2022 and the second for 2023.
Kuo’s predictions align with the most recent Power On newsletter from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, reported on by 9to5Mac. Gurman broke down everything we could see from Apple next year, including a new iPad Pro, a revamped iMac with Apple silicon and a 5G iPhone SE. Here’s a full list of Gurman’s 2022 predictions:
iPhone 14 lineup
5G iPhone SE
Updated iPad Pro, iPad Air and entry-level iPad
New high-end iMac with Apple silicon
New AirPods Pro earbuds
Upgraded MacBook Air with a new design and M2 chip
New Mac Mini model, entry-level MacBook Pro and Mac Pro with Apple silicon
Apple’s mixed augmented and virtual reality headset
Three new Apple Watch models with an updated Apple Watch SE, a standard Apple Watch and a more durable version for extreme sports athletes
Apple’s most recent event was held in October, when the company unveiled the AirPods 3 and new MacBook Pro laptops powered by M1 Pro and M1 Max Apple silicon chips (check out CNET’s 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro reviews), alongside more HomePod Mini colors, a $5 voice-only plan for Apple Music and the release of MacOS Monterey.
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Prior to Apple’s October launch event, the company hosted three other events in 2021. The first event was in April, when we saw new iPad upgrades, colorful iMacs, AirTags trackers, a purple iPhone 12 and more. (Here’s everything Apple announced in the spring.) Then, two months later, it held the annual WWDC developers event, when we saw a first look at iOS 15, MacOS Monterey, WatchOS 8 and iPadOS 15.
We then saw a third event from Apple in September, when the company unveiled its new iPhone 13 lineup with the Apple Watch 7, iPad Mini 6 and updated entry-level iPad. The iPhone 13 lineup mirrors last year’s iPhone 12 collection with standard, Mini, Pro and Pro Max versions. The updated iPhone runs on iOS 15 and features a few camera upgrades, upped storage, a new A15 Bionic processor and more. (Here’s how you can buy the iPhone 13 now.)
But when is the next Apple event? Will we see the iPhone SE 3 or a more affordable Apple display next year? A faster Mac Mini? Read on for everything we know so far, including which products Apple could unveil. We’ll update this story as new information becomes available.
When is the next Apple event? We will likely have to wait until next year
Since Apple’s October event was its fourth launch this year, it’s likely we won’t see Apple host another event until the spring of 2022.
Apple typically hosts three to four events every year, usually including a spring event, a summer developer conference and one or two more events in the fall. The fall events are often held in September and October and tend to feature new iPhones and Apple Watch upgrades, while the October event typically features new Macs and iPads.
With that history in mind, the next Apple event is likely to take place in the spring of 2022, perhaps in March or April. However, it’s also possible that whatever products or announcements the company has ready next spring will be announced without the hoopla of a live event, in which case we’re looking at June for Apple’s annual WWDC.
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Apple’s event pattern slightly shifted in 2020 due to production delays during the pandemic. Last year’s September Apple event revealed the Apple Watch 6, Apple Watch SE and updated iPad models — but no new iPhone. The company later took the wraps off the iPhone 12 in October. Last year’s Apple event, and subsequent events this year, were also online-only due to the pandemic. A livestream was available as usual through the company’s website.
As the pandemic continues to affect many, we’ll have to wait and see if Apple will return for an in-person event next year or continue to be virtual-only.
Apple revealed new MacBook Pro models at its most recent event.
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New products we expect: iPhone SE 3, faster Mac Mini and more
Apple unveiled a slew of hardware and software upgrades in 2021, including the AirPods 3, iPhone 13, Apple Watch 7, and new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops. But, there are still a few things we expect the tech giant to announce at its next event. We hope to see the iPhone SE 3, a more affordable Apple display and faster Mac Mini. We’re also on the lookout for a few long rumored devices like an Apple competitor to the Amazon Echo Show smart display, a soundbar with a built-in Apple TV and possibly an Apple AR/VR headset.
iPhone SE 3
Apple showed off its revamped iPhone SE in the spring of 2020, but this year the petite iPhone was a no-show. Kuo predicts Apple could be working on two iPhone SE models, one for 2022 and the other for 2023. According to the analyst, the 2022 model may arrive mid-year with 3GB of memory, while the 2023 model is said to sport 4GB of memory and a bigger display. Other rumors suggest the 2022 budget-friendly iPhone could have an LCD display, 5G support, a retro design and Face ID, as well.
If you can’t wait until next year for the new iPhone SE, check out CNET’s review of the 2020 iPhone SE. And does it still make sense to buy an iPhone SE in 2021?
Apple iPhone SE, shown above, could be getting an update soon.
CNET
Midrange Apple display
Apple may also be working on a more affordable version of its Pro Display XDR that was originally released in 2019 for just under $5,000 (not including the $1,000 stand). Bloomberg reported in January that a cheaper Apple monitor was in “early development.”
Faster Mini Mac
Last year, Apple unveiled its Mac Mini with the M1 chip. But now that the tech giant has taken the wraps off its M1 Pro and M1 Max processors, when will we see a faster Mac Mini? Gurman previously speculated in August that a new, more powerful Mac Mini could be coming in the “next several months.”
Updated 27-inch iMac and MacBook Air
Apple previously announced a new iMac powered by the M1 processor, but it was only the smaller 24-inch model. Bloomberg has reported that Apple is working on processor updates for the 27-inch iMac.
The MacBook Air could also be due for an upgrade. The 2020 MacBook Air was the first to sport Apple’s M1 chip. Now Gurman hypothesizes the MacBook Air could get a redesign and new rumored M2 chip next year.
New iPad Pro, iPad Air and entry-level iPad
According to Gurman, Apple is planning to update the iPad Pro with a new design and wireless charging support. Gurman speculates Apple could upgrade the iPad Air and entry-level iPad in 2022, as well.
iPhone 14
Apple released its iPhone 13 lineup in September, but the smartphone’s successor, the iPhone 14, is likely to make an appearance in the fall of 2022. The iPhone 14 is rumored to finally ditch the notched display, and could house under-display Touch ID, as well. (Here are all the iPhone 14 rumors we’ve heard so far.)
Apple Watch 8
Apple has announced a new version of its popular Apple Watch every year since the launch of the original in 2014. Gurman predicts Apple could unwrap three new Apple watch models in 2022 with a new Apple Watch SE, an updated standard version (possibly called the Apple Watch 8) and a more durable model for extreme sports athletes (and people who want to look like extreme sports athletes).
AirPods Pro 2
Apple could also be working on an updated version of the AirPods Pro. The first iteration of the higher-end earbuds debuted in 2019, and Kuo now predicts the AirPods Pro 2 will launch in the fourth quarter of 2022 with a new design and chip.
New devices: Echo Show competitor, soundbar with Apple TV, AR/VR headset and more
We could still see some other brand-new devices from Apple if not next year, then some time in the future. This includes a possible Apple competitor to the Amazon Echo Show that would fuse an entry-level iPad with a speaker, a soundbar equipped with built-in Apple TV similar to Roku’s soundbar, an Apple augmented or virtual reality headset, Apple Glasses and an Apple Car.
If you’re looking for more about the latest from Apple, you can take a look at everything that was announced at the latest event. You can also check out how the iPhone 13 compares with the iPhone 12, the main difference between each iPhone 13 model, whether it’s still worth it to buy an iPhone 12 or iPhone 11, and everything to know about iOS 15.
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