Upcoming Apple Products Guide: Everything We Expect to See in 2021

2021 Product Refreshes and Announcements

We have a list of all the products that Apple has released so far in 2021.

• April 2021 - M1 iPad Pro

• April 2021 - M1 iMac

• April 2021 - AirTag

• April 2021 - Apple TV 4K

• April 2021 - Podcast subscriptions

• May 2021 - Apple Music Lossless and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos

• June 2021 - iOS 15

• June 2021 - iPadOS 15

• June 2021 - watchOS 8

• June 2021 - tvOS 15

• June 2021 - macOS 12 Monterey

• July 2021 - MagSafe Battery Pack

First Half of 2021

Apple held an event in April 2021 and introduced AirTags, new iMac models, an updated Apple TV 4K, and refreshed versions of the 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which are the only devices that we've seen launch in early 2021 aside from a purple version of the iPhone 12.

WWDC

Apple held the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, debuting iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, tvOS 15, and macOS 12 Monterey. Details on everything new in these software updates can be found in our dedicated roundups.

No new hardware was introduced at WWDC, with Apple instead focusing on the new software updates that are set to be released in the fall.

September Event

DigiTimes has said that Apple plans to hold two September events, but it's not clear if this is accurate. Apple usually splits its fall events between September and October or November.

• iPhone 13 - We're expecting four iPhone 13 models in the same sizes as the iPhone 12 models, and Apple is planning to use the same general design. 120Hz ProMotion displays are expected, as are camera improvements, an A15 chip, and faster 5G. The iPhone 13 models will feature a smaller notch design, which will be one of the biggest design tweaks. Battery life improvements are also expected.

• Apple Watch Series 7 - Apple introduces new Apple Watch models on a yearly basis, and this year, we're expecting an updated design for the first time in several years. The Apple Watch is expected to feature smaller bezels and a flat-edged design that could be similar to the design of the iPhone 12.

• AirPods 3 - Apple is working on a new version of the AirPods, which will look similar to the AirPods Pro, but without Active Noise Cancellation, allowing Apple to sell them at a lower price point. There were multiple rumors suggesting the AirPods 3 would launch in the first half of 2021, but that information was inaccurate and it now appears AirPods are launching in the third quarter. Mass production is set to begin in August, which means we could see a September launch alongside new iPhones.

October/November Event

Apple is expected to hold multiple fall events, so after we see the new iPhone and Apple Watch at the September event, we can expect a second event to take place in October or November. It's not yet clear if we'll have just two events or three like Apple held in the fall of 2020.

• MacBook Pro - Apple is working on 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that are expected in the third quarter of 2021. The new machines will feature the most significant design overhaul to the MacBook Pro line that we've seen since 2016, introducing a flat-edged design. The new MacBook Pros will charge over MagSafe, will have more ports, and will have physical function keys instead of a Touch Bar. It will use upgraded Apple M1X silicon chips with a 10-core CPU that features eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, along with 16-core or 32-core GPU options and support for up to 64GB RAM. We're expecting the MacBook Pro at some point between September and November.

• iPad mini 6 - There's a new version of the iPad mini coming in 2021, and there have been rumors that it could feature an 8.5 to 9-inch display, made possible through a reduction in bezel size. The new iPad mini is expected to feature an all-display design with no Home Button, and Apple could be planning to use a Touch ID power button in to maximize screen space.

• Low-cost iPad - Apple is developing a ninth-generation version of the low-cost iPad with a 10.2-inch display and a thinner build (6.3mm) that's similar to the now-discontinued third-generation iPad Air. It's expected to be released sometime this fall.

Products Coming in 2022

• MacBook Air - Apple is developing a thinner and lighter version of the MacBook Air that will have thinner bezels than the current model. The machine will feature a mini-LED display, MagSafe charging technology and a pair of USB 4 ports for connecting external devices. It will include an faster version of the M1 chip with the same number of computing cores as the M1 (eight). The new Apple silicon chip will support better graphics with nine or 10 GPU cores instead of the seven or eight in the current M1 MacBook Air. Some rumors suggested we'd see the MacBook Air in 2021, but new information indicates it's not coming until 0222.

• AirPods Pro - Apple is working on a new version of the AirPods Pro with a more compact design and a new wireless chip. The design is said to eliminate the short stem that sticks out from the bottom, resulting in a more rounded shape closer in design to competing wire-free earbuds from Google and Samsung.

• iPhone SE - Apple is rumored to be developing a new version of the iPhone SE with 5G and an upgraded processor, with a release expected in the first half of 2022.

Products With Unknown Release Dates

• Mac mini - Apple is developing a high-end version of the Mac mini, which will feature additional ports and a more powerful Apple silicon chip. It will include an improved version of the M1 chip with a 10-core CPU that has eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, plus 16-core or 32-core GPU options. The Apple silicon chip will support up to 64GB RAM and four Thunderbolt ports.

• Mac Pro - Apple is working on two versions of the Mac Pro, both of which feature a redesigned chassis that's smaller in size. The new Mac Pro models will feature high-end Apple silicon chip options with 20 or 40 computing cores, made up of 6 high-performance or 32 high-performance cores and four or eight high-efficiency cores. These upgraded chips are also expected to include 64 or 128 core GPUs.

• Larger iMac - Apple is still developing a larger version of the iMac with more powerful Apple silicon chips, but paused work on the larger version to launch the 24-inch iMac model. There is no word on when the larger variant of the iMac might launch, but it is expected to include much more powerful Apple silicon chips.

Further in the Future

• AR Smart Glasses - Apple is working on augmented reality smart glasses that could come at some point in the next few years. The glasses are said to feature a dedicated display, built-in processor, and an "rOS" or reality operating system. Input will be via touch panels, voice activation, and head gestures, and it's said to support applications ranging from mapping to texting. The first rumors suggested Apple's AR glasses would come in 2020, but now it's sounding like the product will see a release in 2022, though Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said some kind of AR product is coming from Apple in 2021.

• Foldable iPhone - Apple is allegedly working on a foldable iPhone that might be between 7.5 and 8 inches, with a launch date slated for 2023 at the earliest.

• Apple Car - There have been a lot of twists and turns in the saga of Apple's electric car development, but reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is still planning on a full autonomous vehicle rather than just an autonomous car software offering, with a launch to happen between 2023 and 2025.