The best products Apple released in 2022: iPhone 14 Pro, M2 MacBook Air, and more

2022 is about to come to a close which means that it’s the perfect time to talk about all the exciting and innovative products Apple released this year. The tech giant held several events this year that were jam-packed with new releases. There is definitely a consensus that Apple had more hits this year than misses. So, check out out our roundup of Apple’s best product releases of 2022.

Apple

Apple’s 2022 product releases in review

Note that the following list is not in any particular order.

1. iPhone 14 Pro

Starting off strong, we have the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. While the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models are widely regarded as misses, demand for the iPhone 14 Pro did not disappoint this year.

This year’s Pro models are considered to be standouts for three main reasons. First, they feature a new display cutout which is a software/hardware hybrid, the Dynamic Island. The Dynamic island is the first notch of its kind. It adds functionality to a display cutout by adapting in real-time to show notifications, alerts, background activity, content, and control directly on the Lock and Home screens. 

iPhone 14 Pro - Dynamic Island

The Pro models, which are powered by the A16 Bionic chip, feature a display that is 120Hz and supports an always-on display functionality. An always-on display is something that consumers have been asking Apple to implement in iPhone for years. 

The 48MP camera system of the iPhone 14 Pro is one of the biggest reasons it is on our list of Apple’s most exciting 2022 launches. The new 48MP Main camera features a quad-pixel sensor that adapts to the photo being captured and features second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization. The new camera system and quad-pixel sensor also enable the 12MP 2x Telephoto option to capture full-resolution photos and 4K videos with no digital zoom. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max can also shoot ProRAW at 48MP.

iPhone 14 Pro camera

Other tidbits include the A16 Bionic chip, Emergency SOS via satellite connectivity, and Crash Detection.

2. M2 MacBook Air

Announced in June 2022, the redesigned M2 MacBook Air is one of the best MacBooks on the market. The laptop offers a sleek new design, the stellar performance of the M2 chip, up to 18 hours of battery life, and MagSafe charging, at a cheaper price point than a MacBook Pro.

The M2 MacBook Air has received glowing reviews since its launch and we will even go as far as to say it is the most popular MacBook release of 2022.

M2 MacBook Air - Apple

Other tidbits of the M2 MacBook Air include a 1080p FaceTime HD camera with a larger image sensor, a 25% brighter display than its predecessors, and a four-speaker sound system.

3. Mac Studio

The Mac Studio was announced in March 2022. The device can be configured with the M1 Max and M1 Ultra chips. Made out of a single aluminum enclosure, the Mac Studio is incredibly small when compared to the powerful performance it provides.

Alongside the usual ports at the back of the Mac Studio, there are useful ports added to the front which provide easy access to USB-C and SD card. Internally, the Mac Studio also features an innovative thermal system with two fans that guide air through the components to keep them cool.

Mac Studio front

The reason why the Mac Studio made this list is that it is an absolute powerhouse. The Mac Studio easily fulfills the requirements of most customers. Whether you are using this device for school, work, editing videos, or making content – it can easily do it all. In addition, it is the perfect middle group between the cheaper Mac mini and the Mac Pro.

4. AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

The second-generation AirPods Pro are a testament to the fact that Apple actually listens to its customers and tries to deliver an improved product based on their feedback. 

The updated AirPods Pro 2 feature touch control, 2x improved Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Personalized Spatial Audio, powered by the new H2 chip. While the next-level audio performance is obviously a given, is the redesigned charging case of the AirPods Pro 2 that landed them on this list. 

airpods pro 2 - iOs 16.1

The charging case of the second-generation AirPods Pro has a built-in speaker so you never lose them. The new earbuds also offer Precision Finding, which is compatible with any iPhone that has a U1 chip. The charging case also features a lanyard loop. Because let’s be honest, losing earbuds that cost $249, hurts differently and the AirPods Pro 2 mitigate any anxiety you may have about carrying something that expensive with you, every day.

5. Apple Watch Ultra

To finish off our list, we have the Apple Watch Ultra, which is geared towards a small set of users who may want to wear an Apple Watch while playing extreme sports but don’t want it to break. The Apple Watch Ultra is built for exploration, endurance, and adventure.

Apple Watch Ultra

The rugged Apple Watch features a larger display that is protected by sapphire crystal as well as a new Action button that can be customized to launch a certain app or function Its Digital Crown is also bigger. Other tidbits include a bigger battery, giving users 36 hours of normal use, backward compatibility with older watch bands, and a new Depth app.

Which one of Apple’s 2022 releases is your personal favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

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About the Author

Asma is an editor at iThinkDifferent with a strong focus on social media, Apple news, streaming services, guides, mobile gaming, app reviews, and more. When not blogging, Asma loves to play with her cat, draw, and binge on Netflix shows.