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Apple’s next launch event is only a day away, and rumors are already gearing up for a fourth event later in 2021.
The next Apple event is just a day away, and we expect to see the iPhone 13, the Apple Watch 7 and maybe even the AirPods 3. But we won’t know for sure until the event kicks off tomorrow at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. BST). We could also get a glimpse of the iPad Mini 6 and a ninth-generation iPad later this year.
Apple has had two events in 2021 so far. The first event was in April, where 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, where we saw a first look at iOS 15, MacOS Monterey (aka MacOS 12), WatchOS 8 and iPadOS 15.
Following tomorrow’s launch event, Apple could hold a fourth event this year. Responding to a question about new Macs on Twitter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says that he expects “there will be two events” from Apple this fall, as usual. Gurman says the first will be centered around the iPhone and Apple Watch, while the second event could focus on new Mac models and iPads. This is a pattern Apple has followed in years past.
If you’re curious about more Apple-related dates, check out everything you need to know about the iPhone 13 release date. You can also take a look at our iPhone 13 wish list.
When is the next Apple event? It will be held on Sept. 14
Apple will host its next event on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m ET, 6 p.m. BST). CNET took a deep dive into Apple’s event timeline back in 2018 and emerged with a compelling “Labor Day hypothesis” that you can read more about here. Taking a look at the 2021 calendar, the Labor Day rule would’ve marked Sept. 8 as the next Apple event. But, since Apple formally unveiled the official date, our hypothesis did not hold true this year.
Apple typically hosts three to four events in a year with a spring event, a summer developer conference and one or two more events in the fall. The fall events are usually scheduled for September and October. The September event tends to feature new iPhones and Apple Watch upgrades, while the October event typically features new Macs and iPads, which tallies with Gurman’s prediction.
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Although Apple has announced its latest iPhone during a September event every year since the iPhone 5 in 2012, Apple saw a change in that pattern in 2020 due to production delays during the pandemic. Last year’s September Apple event unveiled the Apple Watch 6, Apple Watch SE and updated iPad models — but no new iPhone. The company later revealed the iPhone 12 in October. Last year’s fall Apple event was online-only due to the pandemic. A livestream was available as usual through the company’s website.
This year, Apple will return to its usual September schedule, but the event will be virtual again. We already suspected the tech giant’s event would be online-only. This was previously rumored in a July Power On newsletter from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. He said that the event will be completely virtual because of the tech giant’s decision to delay its return to in-person work due to rising COVID-19 cases.
Apple originally said that all employees would be required to come into the office three days a week starting in September. Gurman says that if Apple stuck with the September time frame, an in-person iPhone 13 event would have been “plausible.”
New products we expect: iPhone 13, Apple Watch 7, AirPods 3, iPad Mini and more
Apple already unveiled a slew of hardware and software upgrades during its previous 2021 events, but there are still a few things we expect the tech giant to announce in the fall. This includes the iPhone 13, Apple Watch 7, AirPods 3, iPad Mini 6, a larger iMac powered by Apple’s M1 chip, a more affordable Apple Display, a new MacBook Pro and Mac Pro with a rumored update to Apple’s M1 chip. We’re also on the lookout for an Apple competitor to Amazon Echo Show smart display, a soundbar with a built-in Apple TV and an Apple AR/VR headset.
iPhone 13
The iPhone 13 is rumored to feature four phones — the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Max — according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. We speculate Apple’s new iPhone could be coming with a new design, upgraded cameras, battery and specs.
Apple Watch 7
Apple’s next-generation wearable could include some new key features like a sleek, flat-edged redesign, improvements in battery life and a possible blood glucose monitoring sensor. The Apple Watch 7 will come with WatchOS 8, which was unveiled at WWDC.
The new Apple Watch was previously reported to be delayed due to manufacturing difficulties, but Apple analyst Kuo said in a recent investor note that the issues have been resolved and the smartwatch will begin mass production in mid-September.
AirPods 3
Apple’s AirPods could be getting an update sometime this year, according to an earlier report from Bloomberg. Rumors suggest the AirPods 3 will have similar features to the AirPods Pro like spatial audio support, a shorter stem, interchangeable tips and a smaller charging case.
iPad Mini 6
Other Apple tablets, including the iPad, iPad Air and iPad Pro have already seen updates this year, so that just leaves the iPad Mini. According to Gurman, a redesign for the iPad Mini “should be a go” for fall 2021.
Ninth-generation iPad
We could see an upgrade to Apple’s iPad this fall with a new ninth-generation model. According to Gurman, the tech giant’s next tablet could feature a slimmer design and an improved processor.
New MacBook Pros, Mac Pros, Mac Mini, iMac and Apple Display
Last year, Apple announced that it would be producing its own chip, known as the M1, to power its Mac. Since then, there has been speculation that Apple may soon announce a new version of its processor for the new MacBook Pro or Mac Pro.
Apple also 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 both the Mac Mini and 27-inch iMac.
Apple may also be working on a more affordable version of its Pro Display XDR that was originally released in 2019. Bloomberg reported in January that Apple was in “early development” of a cheaper monitor.
Echo Show competitor, soundbar with Apple TV and AR/VR headset
We could see some brand-new devices from Apple this year. This includes the possibility of an 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, and an Apple augmented- or virtual-reality headset.
If you’re looking for more about the latest from Apple, you can take a look at the iPhone 13’s release date. You can also check out how the iPhone 13 could compare to the iPhone 12, whether it’s still worth it to buy an iPhone 12 or iPhone 11, and everything coming in iOS 15. Plus, why isn’t the iPhone SE 3 on this list?
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