The highly anticipated iPhone 13 lineup with a 120Hz ProMotion display and improved cameras was introduced during the first Apple fall product presentation. The Cupertino behemoth even caught us off guard by revealing the updated iPad mini 6. Apple recently revealed a second fall hardware event, indicating that it is still planning to release hardware. On October 18, the business is anticipated to unveil its most recent hardware, new Macs, and more during an event called Apple Unleashed. Although it’s expected that the new MacBook Pro models will be the event’s main attraction, the business probably has other equally interesting announcements in store. Here is everything you can anticipate from Apple’s forthcoming hardware announcement on October 18.
Sneak Peek into Apple s October 18 Unleashed Event
Apple aims to revitalise the Mac portfolio in light of the fierce competition from competitors and the mounting resentment over the dearth of cutting-edge new features. Will the 2021 Macs live up to the anticipation, even though the desire to seize the initiative on the strength of the strong performance of the M1-powered Macs appears to be on track? Check out the leaked specifications and feature list of the forthcoming M1X-powered MacBook Pros even though the official announcement of the major specs is only one day away. At the presentation, we’ll also discuss the potential release of a new Mac Mini and the AirPods 3. Without further ado, let’s get started:
How to Watch Apple s October 18 Hardware Event
Let’s quickly go over how you may watch the Unleashed event before we discuss all the things we anticipate Apple to introduce during its hardware announcement tomorrow. This will be a virtual debut, like other recent Apple events, and will be livestreamed on Apple’s official event page and YouTube channel on Monday, October 18, at 10:00 AM PDT (1:00 PM EST, 10:30 PM IST, or 6:00 PM BST).
To watch tomorrow’s Apple hardware event live, bookmark the official webcast links. On our website, we will also be reporting on the event in real-time, so check back for updates on the future goods, which we will discuss below:
New 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro
There have been rumours regarding newly styled 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro versions for a while. Furthermore, if certain credible rumours are to be accepted, Apple will probably reveal two new, high-end MacBook Pro models during the next event. All eyes are focused on this significant news because it has been some years since the notebooks last received a fresh design.
Flat-Edged Design
According to the leaked photos, the iPad mini 6 and 14-inch iPhone 13 series will have flat edges, as will the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. The notebooks will also have smaller bezels for a more contemporary appearance.
The removal of the MacBook Pro branding from the display’s bottom may draw a lot of attention as another design aspect. This decision’s justification is straightforward. Apple aims to build a stunning bezel-free design and provide its customers more screen real estate.
Notch With Better Webcam
We would advise you to accept this rumour with a grain of salt before we go into more depth. The forthcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will reportedly have a notch that houses the webcam, according to a Weibo rumour. According to the source, the notch’s size will be comparable to that of the iPhone 12 series. I don’t think it’s impossible, however I’m not sure how it will integrate with Apple’s current desktop operating system.
Additionally, if you’ve been on Twitter lately, you may have noticed that users of macOS Monterey have noticed that the top-level Menu bar is now thicker than it was in macOS Big Sur. According to their conjecture, the increased thickness might be an indication for the impending design modification to accommodate the notch.
Given that Apple is working toward an edge-to-edge display, the inclusion of a small notch with a superior webcam at the top seems plausible. According to rumours, the 2021 MacBook Pros will feature an improved 1080p webcam, which would be a considerable improvement. They are expected to be unveiled on October 18 at an Apple event. Currently, the 720p webcam that comes with MacBooks is subpar.
mini-LED Display
Following the introduction of a mini-LED display on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2021, Apple is reportedly planning to include the same display technology in the forthcoming MacBook Pro models. The mini-LED technology will allow for a slimmer and lighter laptop. Additionally, it will have numerous advantages akin to those of OLEDs, such as high contrast, dynamic range, truer blacks, and wider colour gamut support.
ProMotion 120Hz Refresh Rate
Apple is anticipated to include support for 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates on the upcoming MacBook Pro models as well in an effort to compete with gaming laptops. The MacBook Pros will offer smooth navigation and an improved gaming experience thanks to their faster refresh rate. The variable refresh rate would also aid in preserving some limited battery life.
True 2x retina resolutions appear to be in the works for the next models, according to display information that was released in a recent macOS Monterey update. The displays of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros are probably going to be 3024 x 1964 and 3456 x 2234, respectively.
RIP Touch Bar, Finally!
Without diminishing the value of Touch Bar, I would even suggest that it has remained primarily a gimmick that has failed to impress the majority of pros from the start. Therefore, if renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is to be believed, Apple has opted to do away with the Touch Bar in favour of the traditional yet user-friendly design.
In Q1 of this year, Touch Bars held the third-place position with an 18% unit share and 1.2% revenue share. When Apple launches the 10.9 AMOLED iPad, we anticipate tablets to surpass Touch Bars in popularity. Furthermore, according to a recent study from Supply Chain Consultants, “our sources indicate that Apple may discontinue the Touch Bar in the future” (DSCC).
The 2021 MacBook Pro models shown at the October 18 Apple event will include a regular row of function keys instead of the dynamic OLED Touch Bar. Although it may seem like a step back in time, doing rid of the OLED touch strip and using physical keys to manage some functionality is a smart choice.
More Powerful Apple M1X Chip
Apple will entirely abandon Intel CPUs with the release of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. That indicates that the faster and more potent Apple M1X chip will be featured in both high-end MacBooks. It will reportedly be the replacement for the original M1 chip and has long been speculated to be on the way.
The M1X processor will put the MacBook Pro ahead of the competition in terms of speed and efficiency thanks to its 10-core CPU, which has eight cores with high performance and two cores with energy efficiency, as well as its 16-core/32-core GPU. Additionally, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro basic models will come with 16GB of RAM, but they will support up to 64GB of RAM. 512GB SSD storage will be the minimum requirement across the board, with upgrades being offered at higher price ranges.
SD Card Slot, HDMI Port, and MagSafe
The tech giant is anticipated to add extra ports to the next notebooks, which might be fantastic news for makers who have been whining about the lack of an SD card slot and an HDMI connector on the MacBook Pro models since 2016. Yes, Apple drastically reduced the number of connectors on the MacBook to just USB-C ports back in 2016.
Additionally, the 2021 MacBook Pro models are also expected tobring back MagSafe magnetic chargingin a more efficient iteration. The 14-inch and 16-inch Pro models that launch at the Apple event tomorrow could feature a MagSafe charging port that will deliver faster charging speed than is offered by the existing USB-C port.
Smaller and Thinner Mac mini
With a refreshed design and the same Apple M1X chip that s expected to power the new MacBook Pros, the 2021 Mac mini seems ready for a major upgrade. Going by the reports, the updated Mac mini will also be unveiled at Apple s October 18 event.
Featuring asmaller form factor and a plexiglass-like topover the aluminum enclosure, the Mac mini will be more portable. It will have four Thunderbolt ports, an Ethernet port, an HDMI port, and two USB-A ports, as per reports. Also, the new Mac mini willuse the same magnetic power connectoras therecently launched 24-inch M1 iMac.
Affordable AirPods 3
TheAirPods 3were earlier expected to arrive alongside the iPhone 13 series, but that didn t happen last month. Now, the rumors suggest that they will be announced alongside the new MacBook Pros. Design-wise, the AirPods 3 will have a striking similarity with theAirPods Pro.
The shorter stems and a redesigned charging case will make the wireless earphones look modern. However, AirPods 3 will be available at a more affordable price point and won t come with high-end features like Active Noise Cancellation. We will have to wait for the official event for more information.
macOS 12 Monterey Launch Date
Even thoughiOS 15,iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 were launched to the public in September, there is no word yet about the release of Apple s latest desktop OS macOS 12 Monterey. Since the new version of macOS generally comes later than the other software updates, the release date of macOS Monterey could be announced at the October 18 Apple event.
Since it s touted to be a major event for Macs, it would be befitting to announce the release date of macOS 12 during the event. The latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will likely be the first to ship with the latest macOS 12 update.
Stay Tuned for More Coverage from Apple s October 18 Event
So that s all we expect Apple to announce at the upcoming Unleashed hardware event on Monday. Personally, we are most excited to take a close look at the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. With a modern-looking design complete with all the essential ports, they look in line with our liking. That aside, we would also keep tabs on the AirPods 3 just to see whether or not they offer better audio quality and value than their predecessors. What are you most excited to see at the Apple Event tomorrow? Do let us know your expectations in the comments below.