M1X MacBook Pro, AirPods, and more: What to expect from Apple in 2021 and early 2022

Apple is persistently the target of rumors, with many speculating on the kinds of products the company could launch in the near and not-so-near future. While the fever pitch of rumors before the annual iPhone special event has passed, there are still many leaks, claims, and strong rumors left unresolved.

There’s still a chance that those rumors will become fulfilled in some way, especially since Apple does launch products at other times of the year. Rumors of a second event offer a good chance for the speculation to come true in the relatively near future.

So with that in mind, here’s what you might end up seeing announced by Apple in the next few months — and how likely each is.

Rumors ahead of the 2021 Apple Event in September claimed that there would be two such events occurring for the year. There was also the suggestion that there could be two within the same month, with one in the middle and one toward the end of September, though while one occurred, the second one failed to materialize.

While Apple has successfully held one event, it has yet to hint at a second, but given the lack of mention of Macs in the announcements, it seems plausible that they could feature in a second presentation.

Though there is the prospect of a second event at some point in the fall, especially since Apple had a Mac-centric event in 2020, there’s no guarantee that there will be one at all.

That’s not to say that there won’t be product launches. For lesser updates and announcements, Apple has gone down the route of doing a press release-style launch instead of a full presentation.

Given Apple’s typical event schedules, an October event is entirely a possibility, with it occurring seven times in the last ten years. Given that Apple has avoided an entire product category at its first event, the two data points certainly indicate a second will be happening before the end of the year, as well as what Apple could be launching.

Moving into 2022, Apple tends to hold its first product launches in March, which makes it reasonable to assume a similar event could happen at that time in the future.

Again, this does not factor in Apple’s now much more common launches without events. Apple’s press release-based versions could well happen at previously unusual times of year. For example, in December 2020, Apple unveiled AirPods Max without an event.

Such launches are usually reserved only for smaller products, not big-ticket items for massive audiences. A release-based launch may happen, but not for something major.

A key accessory to the iPhone, an update to the Airpods lineup was expected to happen during the “California Streaming” special event, but failed to show up. However, there is still high confidence that some form of update will take place soon.

Apple’s AirPods.

While varying in exact specification, the general belief is that AirPods 3 are on the way, as an updated base model. Shorter stems and an improved battery life have been suggested, as well as changeable tips like the AirPods Pro.

The AirPods Pro Lite are expected to be similar to both AirPods and AirPods Pro, as it could offer Pro-style features but in a cheaper package.

AirPods Pro 2 are also seemingly on the way, bundling in updated motion trackers for use in fitness applications, along with multiple device sizes. However, some reports have pointed to the AirPods Pro 2 arriving in early 2022, rather than 2021.

Predictions in July and August pointed to a launch in the fall, while a pre-event September report pointed to the AirPods Pro arriving in the near future.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the AirPods 3 may not necessarily replace AirPods, but could still cost more than them. They could potentially be priced higher while maintaining current AirPods pricing, or could prompt a price cut of the originals.

One August 25 report pointed to an AirPods 3 release on September 30, though it is probably better to assume this would be during a second fall event.

Apple is in the middle of its two-year schedule to switch over from Intel to Apple Silicon, which means it has to continue changing its Mac product line. Two prime candidates for the change are the 16-inch MacBook Pro and a new model, the 14-inch MacBook Pro.

Both sizes are anticipated to use an M1-style chip, possibly the “M1X” with an updated 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU. The display is rumored to take advantage of mini LED backlighting, enabling high contrast ratios similar to OLED panels, without the cost.

However, in mid-September, a report claimed OLED panels from Samsung Display were being mass-produced, potentially for use in a 16-inch MacBook Pro.

On September 24, code found in a macOS Monterey beta hinted at a pair of display resolutions that don’t correspond to existing Macbooks, which could be for the new MacBook Pro models. The 14-inch may gain a “3024 x 1,964 Retina” display, while the 16-inch may have a “3,456 x 2,234 Retina” screen.

The MacBook Pro range is expected to see two new additions to the roster.

An August report claimed the two models would use the same chip, and so would be similar in terms of performance. The 14-inch would also apparently undergo a price rise from what the 13-inch MacBook Pro costs, at the same time.

Shortages in mini LED production in June led to further reports in July that the models are on the way, though still with a potential impact on the eventual release. Away from the display, Apple has been rumored to finally upgrade the camera, from a 720p FaceTime camera to a 1080p variant.

Supply chain reports say there’s a third-quarter release happening for the models, while it was claimed in August that volume production was starting. However, an early September report suggested the global chip shortage could force a delay of release into October or November.

On September 12, Mark Gurman claimed that new M1X models should “hit shelves in the next several weeks,” and later updated his forecast on October 3 to say a launch was due to occur sometime in October.

Apple, of course, has not confirmed any of this. But there was a briefly tantalizing typo on the company’s German website, which mistakenly included an M1-based 16-inch MacBook Pro in a product description.

Assisting the claim of an imminent launch were the disappearances of 16-inch MacBook Pro power adapters from Apple’s online store and physical outlets. The 96W USB-C power adapter was listed as out of stock, with delivery estimates at two to three months.

While not an exact predictor, since it could just be Apple updating the charger itself, it seems to be a good sign something is on the way for the model at least.

Among the initial M1-based Mac launches, the MacBook Air will be one year old in the fall, which could allow for an upgrade by Apple to occur without seeming too early in its product lifecycle. However, rumors point to a 2022 release instead of one in 2021.

In July, a report claimed Apple would wait until the first half of 2022 to release an “M2” or “M1X” MacBook Air. The “M2” claim was backed up by a second leaker, along with the early-2022 timeframe.

Early renders speculated there could be many color options for the MacBook Air refresh.

Meanwhile, analyst Kuo advised in July and August that a 2022 launch for the MacBook Air was expected.

Renders released in May seemed to indicate a redesign was on the way, complete with a thin wedge-less design that could barely fit a USB-C port on a side. A variety of colors was also claimed, complete with a white bezel and keys.

A new display has also been proposed, complete with mini LED backlighting.

According to a September 27 note from Kuo, Apple will start mass production for the updated MacBook Air in mid-2022, which could push the refresh later into the year.

One of the three initial Apple Silicon launches, the Mac mini similarly didn’t go through any sort of redesign ahead of its launch. For its first refresh, it seems it may receive that update.

Renders from May claim it will be a thinner device, with the circular base replaced by rubber strips, and the rear vent moved to the base. The aluminum chassis would have a “plexiglass-like” top panel, and a choice of colors has also been touted.

A render of what the new Mac mini could look like, complete with a perspex-like top.

The port selection on the back was said to be made up of four USB 4-Thunderbolt 3 ports, a pair of USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, and a magnetic circular power connector, as taken from the 24-inch iMac. Inside, the chip will be updated from the M1, to possibly the “M1X” or “M2.”

An August 22 report claimed a high-performance Mac mini was on the way, using the “M1X,” intended to remove the Intel-based versions Apple still sells from the product line. However, aside from an updated design and the use of “more ports,” few details were offered in the report.

A release date is unknown, but it is easily plausible for Apple to launch the model in the fall or in early 2022.

Since Apple had iMacs in two sizes for its Intel collection, it’s logical for Apple to offer an alternate to the 24-inch iMac for its Apple Silicon range, most likely in replacing the current 27-inch iMac.

The 24-inch iMac may gain a bigger stablemate.

An April rumor, ahead of the 24-inch model’s launch, said Apple was working on a version with a screen that was bigger than 27 inches. However, that rumor was sourced from a leaker who had allegedly “retired” from the “business.”

In July, another rumor mentioned a bigger model, though was light on details. Later that same month, a “high-end iMac” rumor spread, with a launch in 2022 as Apple “does not want their devices to compete for attention.”

There’s not really much detail to go on for this supposed iMac, but it does still seem like a possibility for launch at some point.

There does continue to be a great deal of rumor and speculation regarding other Apple products that are expected to be launched. There’s the “Apple Car“, for instance, and “Apple Glass,” or other Apple AR headset.

And, naturally, the rumors have already begun for September 2022’s “iPhone 14.” That next iPhone is the only one of these far-in-the-future products with a likely launch date, however.