Apple plans to release a redesigned iMac Pro and next-generation AirPods Pro among a bunch of other launches this year, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
New iMac Pro and AirPods Pro coming this year, report reiterates
In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman outlined his expectations for 2022 product launches. As per the report, Gurman reiterated that Apple is planning to launch a third-generation iPhone SE with 5G connectivity, a new iPad Air, and a new Mac powered by Apple Silicon. The event will likely take place in March or April and it will be a virtual affair.
According to previous reports from TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Gurman, the next-generation iPhone SE will have a similar design to the current model with a 4.7-inch LCD panel, unlike high-end iPhones which feature OLED panels. Alongside 5G connectivity, the smartphone will be equipped with the A15 chip which is featured in the iPhone 13 lineup.
The fifth-generation iPad Air’s rumored specs include the A15 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity, and improvements to the front-facing camera, which will be upgraded to a 12MP ultra-wide sensor and feature Center Stage. The device will also use a similar chassis to the third-generation 11-inch iPad Pro, featuring a twin-lens camera on the back, but it is still believed Apple will continue to use a single-lens camera.
Gurman expects Apple to release a larger iMac powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips this year. He further believes this computer will have iMac Pro branding giving it a “similar design” to the 24-inch iMac released in 2021. A Mac mini powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips is also expected to be on the roster for this year’s releases.
On the AirPods Pro, Gurman said that Apple is planning a “big update” later in 2022 which corroborates what TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and DigiTimes have claimed about the rumored released date.
As per previous reports, AirPods Pro 2 will support Apple Lossless (ALAC) format, which is great news for customers who have been disappointed with the company’s lack of supporting hardware for high-quality audio. Improved battery life for the earbuds is to be expected.
The new form factor of the earbuds is expected to match the design of Beats Fit Pro and Beats Studio Buds, which means that they will not have stems. They are also expected to feature a new skin-detect sensor, similar to that of AirPods 3, which will detect when they are in the ear or not and enable them to play or pause playback accordingly.
The new AirPods Pro 2 are also expected to feature new fitness tracking features with updated motion sensors. However, it is unclear what function will these sensors perform and how will their functionality overlap with Apple Watch, which is the company’s primary device for fitness tracking.
Kuo has also claimed that the AirPods Pro 2 case will feature Find My support. The case would emit a sound to indicate its location and work in conjunction with Apple’s Find My network. However, it is unclear whether Apple will also include an Ultra-wideband (UWB) chip in the case to allow precise location tracking.
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