Apple Spring Event: What to Expect
So the day has finally come… April 20, 2021. Tim Cook shows up with its characteristic phrase “Good morning” and the spring Apple event that we have all been waiting for begins.
Do you like surprises and hate spoilers? If your answer is yes, then better stop reading now! Go read something else. On the contrary, if you like to be prepared please continue and read the remaining part of this article.
The show
The current pandemic has changed our lives and what used to be a live event in a fully crowded Steve Jobs Theatre inside Apple’s headquarters, is now a pre-recorded event that reminds an expensive TV production.
Most people love these type of events, however it’s always nice to be able to feel the vibe of a live audience. Plus there would be a live demo area so that tech media and journalists can try the new products for the first time.
This is the first spring Apple event after two years when Apple announced its new services including the Apple Card back in March 2019. Last year, the iPad Pro and the iPhone SE were announced through a press release on Apple.com
Let’s get back to 2021, shall we? What do we expect to see during today’s event?
1. New iPad Pro
iPad Pro is considered the gold standard for this event. We are expecting to see an updated version of last year’s iPad Pro with a new mini-LED display that is rumoured to be exclusively reserved for the 12.9” version at first due to supply limitations. These limitations will make it extremely difficult for you to find an available 12.9’ iPad Pro at first, so be prepared to preorder one at launch if you want to be one of the first 2021 iPad Pro users. Mini-LED backlit technology can help an LCD display to achieve improved brightness, higher contrast ration and deeper blacks, and better dynamic range for improved HDR experience while these displays are less susceptible to burn-in than OLED. This technology is rumoured to arrive in the future Macbook Pros as well.
We are also expecting a new improved version of the A14 chip, the A14X Bionic Chip which will be even more capable than the A14 that is used on the iPad Air and the iPhone 12. Apple is reportedly building a chip for the new base model iMacs based on this new A14X chip.
Bloomberg is also reporting that Apple was testing Thunderbolt connectivity for the iPad Pros which may be introduced today. The new Thunderbolt ports are also included in the current M1 Macs and use a USB type C interface, but provide significantly faster speeds and may allow us to connect the new iPad Pros on Thunderbolt Displays and connect them with faster peripherals.
The new cellular iPad Pro versions may also be available with 5G connectivity.
The design of the device is expected to remain unchanged, although there are rumours about a new gold iPad Pro version.
Price was expected to remain on par with the 2020 iPad Pro’s, however a Wedbush analyst hints that a small price uplift should be expected.
2. iPhone 12, iPad Pro & Apple Watch Accessories
New iPad means usually new accessories and this year will be no exception. Apple Pencil 3 with motion gestures and an improved version of the Magic Keyboard are rumoured to appear during today’s event.
If you plan to purchase a new iPad Pro with all of its new accessories then get ready to break the bank.
If you follow Apple releases closely, then you should also expect new spring colours for your iPhone 12 Silicon Case and your Apple Watch bands, since Apple always refreshes its lineup every Spring. The alleged new colours hand cases have appeared online:
Which is your favorite Apple Silicon MagSafe Case spring color?
— 9TechEleven (@9techeleven) April 15, 2021
Image from: @MajinBuOfficial pic.twitter.com/sOsBKnz3sS
Now let’s move on to products that we expect to see soon, leakers report that we shall see today but we believe that their announcement may not definitely take place during the “Spring Loaded” event.
3. AirTags
We have been hearing about the AirTags for almost two years with one rumour coming after the other and multiple hints found inside iOS and Apple’s official documentation. Jon Prosser has even leaked the alleged design of the AirTags but still nothing from Apple. The rumours are more intense over the last weeks and we wouldn’t be surprised if Apple finally introduces the AirTags during the “Spring Loaded” event.
What are the AirTags though?
AirTags are Apple’s rumoured item trackers, similar to Tile, that you can simply attach to an object like your keychain, backpack or your wallet and trace its location directly through Find My app on any Apple device. AirTags are expected to use Apple’s Find My network that take advantage all nearby Apple Devices and feature the U1 chip inside for even more accurate location tracking.
AirTags Concept by 9TechEleven:
4. Redesigned iMacs
Bloomberg reported that Apple was working on a new design for the upcoming iMac lineup which is also expected to get the Apple Silicon treatment in 2021. The new design is expected to include a flat back similar to the Pro Display XDR, as Apple is moving away form the curved back design that is currently being used. The bezels are also expected to be much thinner than today’s models giving the new iMacs a fresh look.
Jon Prosser reports that Apple intends to introduce new multiple colours for the 2021 iMacs which will bring back memories from the original iMac released in 1998 (more colours released in January 1999).
The new base model iMacs will include new Apple Silicon chips that will be based on the architecture of the A14/A14X chip and there are chances that Apple will announce them today. We should be more careful about this rumour though.
iMac Concept by 9TechEleven:
5. Apple TV, new AirPods, MacBooks & Apple Podcasts+
Apple is also working on new AirPods, new Apple TV with a new Siri Remote control and new MacBooks with Apple Silicon. These are most probably reserved for later, however Apple is full of surprises and the release of these new products will most probably take place sometime in 2021.
AirPods 3 are expected to use a hybrid design, borrowing elements from the current AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro that will make them look like the AirPods Pro but without the rubber Eartips. We have also seen fake mockups of these AirPods 3 that are already available for purchase.
Last rumours include a new service from Apple called Apple Podcasts+ that will be a subscription based model which more details being quite blurry for now.
Conclusion - Event Coverage
In conclusion, we place our bets on the new iPads, the new iPhone 12 & Apple Watch accessories and we remain really careful about the other products. What are you mostly excited to see during this event or in general within 2021 from Apple?
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