Replace 9:30 pm ET: We’ve up to date our rankings to mirror the most recent rumors.
Apple’s first occasion of 2022 has actually piqued our curiosity. Whereas we often have a fairly good thought about what’s going to be launched at this level—the one actual shock on the “Spring Loaded” occasion was Apple Card Household—Apple has completed an excellent job preserving its “Peek Efficiency” occasion below wraps. So for those who’re enjoying alongside, right here’s what we’re probably to see on Tuesday.
iPhone SE: 100%
The one product we’re completely sure to see at “Peek Efficiency” is a brand new iPhone SE. It’s been about two years because the second-generation mannequin was launched, and rumors have been flying for a number of weeks. It gained’t be all that thrilling—an A15 chip, a barely higher digicam with evening mode, and 5G connectivity are the primary upgrades—however search for it to get a chief spot within the keynote.
iPad Air: 100%
One other certainty, the iPad Air will reportedly get the iPad mini remedy, with a brand new processor, ultra-wide entrance digicam with Middle Stage, and 5G mobile connectivity. These are good, if not overdue upgrades, however just like the iPhone SE, not all that thrilling.
Mac Studio: 75%
The high-end Mac mini is certainly one of a handful of Macs with Intel chips that Apple nonetheless makes, so it’s undoubtedly getting a refresh this yr. We’ve heard rumors for some time that the enclosure can be getting a brand new design together with a quicker processor and extra ports, however now we hear that it is likely to be getting a brand new identify too: Mac Studio. A high-end Mac is an odd for a spring occasion—the one “Professional” product launched at a spring occasion was the 9.7-inch iPad professional in March 2016—however with quite a few Macs attributable to launch this yr, Apple seems to be breaking with that custom.
Standalone show: 75%
We’ve identified that Apple is engaged on a standalone 27-inch show that’s extra inexpensive than the $5,999 Professional Show XDR for some time. Scattered rumors pegged the monitor for launch someday in 2022, however over the past couple of days they’re packed up steam. It would reportedly be bought as a companion to the brand new Mac Studio, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman saying the show is “able to go” at Tuesday’s occasion.
New iPhone 13 colour: 70%
A rumor by Luke Miani on Apple Monitor predicted that Apple will announce a brand new inexperienced iPhone 13. The colour will reportedly be “someplace between the Mint iPhone 12 and Midnight Inexperienced iPhone 11 Professional.” Apple has been know to launch new iPhone colours mid-cycle—in actual fact, eventually yr’s spring occasion Apple launched the purple iPhone 12—so this one feels proper.
M2 processor: 40%
Right here’s the place issues get fascinating. If Apple makes use of its “Peek Efficiency” occasion to unveil the M2 processor, it opens up far more prospects for bulletins. Apple is greater than midway via its two-year silicon transition, and with a number of higher-end Macs remaining, an M2 introduction would muddy the sphere considerably, with a mixture of M1 and M2 processors in addition to a couple of Intel stragglers. However with the oldest M1 Macs practically 16 months outdated, it’s about time for a refresh.
MacBook Air: 35%
If the M2 is unveiled, the MacBook Air is a powerful contender to be the primary Mac to showcase it. Apple is rumored to be giving the MacBook Air an entire makeover with a brand new 24-inch iMac-inspired design, slim bezels, and a quicker processor.
13-inch MacBook Professional: 30%
Apple is rumored to be refreshing a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Professional with a quicker M2 chip, however we’ve our reservations. Moreover, if it’s only a spec bump, it doesn’t truly must be launched at an occasion.
iPad Professional: 25%
The iPad Professional will doubtless be getting an M2 improve in some unspecified time in the future in 2022, nevertheless it’s been lower than a yr because the present mannequin was launched. The iPad Professional has usually been on an 18-month cadence, although the final two fashions had been launched a yr aside. It appears a bit early for a 2021 mannequin already, particularly with the availability chain points nonetheless affecting inventory.
iMac Professional: 20%
It’s been nearly a yr since Apple launched the 24-inch iMac eventually yr’s spring occasion, nevertheless it seems like we’re going to be ready a bit bit longer for the 27-inch model. All indicators level to WWDC or later for the high-end iMac, which ought to have an M1 Professional/M1 Max processor and an identical design to the 24-inch mannequin.
Mac Professional: 15%
The Mac Professional is one thing of a wild card. Whereas the high-end mannequin is extremely unlikely to make its debut outdoors of WWDC, 9to5Mac reported final week {that a} cheaper and smaller mannequin can also be within the works. It’s attainable that the lower-cost mannequin makes an look at this occasion as a brand new G4 Dice-type product.
Michael Simon has been protecting Apple because the iPod was the iWalk. His obsession with know-how goes again to his first PC—the IBM Thinkpad with the lift-up keyboard for swapping out the drive. He is nonetheless ready for that to come back again in model tbh.