Apple has certainly prepared a series of new devices to be launched in 2022. In addition to the iPhone 14 line which will be released in the fall, there are also several new devices that Apple fanboys have been waiting for.
Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman gave his predictions about what Apple devices will be released this year. Starting from the iPhone 14, the new MacBook Air, to the AR/VR headset, here's the complete list, as quoted from MacRumors, Monday (3/1/2022).
iPhone 14
In accordance with the rumors that have been circulating, Gurman emphasized that this year Apple will launch the iPhone 14 with a notchless design. Instead, they will use a hole punch design to contain the front camera and Face ID sensor.
But the iPhone 14 with this design is reportedly only limited to the Pro and Pro Max variants. With this new design, the Face ID system will likely be moved to the bottom of the screen.
For its own variant, Apple will present the regular iPhone 14 with a 6.1-inch screen, 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, and 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone mini variant will reportedly be retired this year.
iPhone SE 2022
This year, Apple is predicted to launch the latest generation of iPhone SE. This year's iPhone SE will reportedly be the cheapest 5G iPhone offered by Apple.
Rumor has it that the iPhone SE 2022 will have the same design as the iPhone SE 2020. The screen size remains at 4.7 inches, with thick bezels at the top and bottom of the screen, as well as physical Touch ID buttons.
iPad Pro
This tablet for professionals will likely still be present in two choices of 11-inch and 12.9-inch screens. The difference is, the 11-inch version is predicted to use a mini-LED panel following its brother.
Not only that, Apple is rumored to be installing a layer of glass on the back to support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. So the iPad Pro will be able to be used to charge other devices such as iPhones or AirPods.
MacBook Air
Apple plans to launch the MacBook Air with a new design. Not only in terms of design, this lightweight laptop will also carry the Apple M2 chip which is faster than its predecessor.
Gurman says the M2 chip will have an 8-core CPU like the M1 chip, but with a 9-core or 10-core GPU. The core count brings improvements over the 7-core and 8-core GPUs on the current MacBook Air.
Mac Pro, Mac Mini, and iMac
Gurman also predicts Apple will use the M2 chip for its desktop tower Mac Pro with up to 40-core CPU and 128-core GPU. In addition to the new Mac Pro, Apple is also likely to release a new Mac mini and a larger iMac.
This year, Apple is expected to complete the transition from Intel chips to its own chips for Macs. In June 2020, Apple said this transition process would take about two years.
AR/VR Headsets
One of the most awaited Apple devices is the AR/VR or mixed reality headset. This headset is said to have a design similar to Facebook's Oculus Quest but with a lighter design.
According to rumors, this headset will have two 4K micro-OLED displays from Sony along with multiple sensors and dozens of cameras to map the surface and dimensions of space and track hand movements.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple's AR/VR headset will have 15 camera modules of which eight will be used for augmented reality and six for innovative biometrics.
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 8 is predicted to have more new health features, such as blood sugar monitor, blood pressure monitor, temperature monitor, and sleep apnea detection.
Not much is known about the Apple Watch Series 8. But news is circulating that this smartwatch will come in a tougher 'rugged' edition for more extreme outdoor activities.
AirPods Pro 2
The second generation of AirPods Pro is predicted to launch this year. Reportedly this TWS will have a new, more rounded design like the Samsung Galaxy Buds and the stem is removed.
A recent analysis from Ming-Chi Kuo also says the AirPods Pro 2 will support Apple's Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) and even a case that emits sound to make it easier for users to find it.
