April 20th Apple “Spring Loaded” Event – Here’s What You Should Expect
Apple announced the Spring Loaded event for April 20, catching all the critics who were demanding the announcements from the previous month by surprise.
Now that the event announcement is set in stone, let's discuss what could be showcased in Apple's presentation. Here's what to expect.
iPad Pro 12,9 inch with mini LED backlight
One of the most anticipated products of 2021, the 12,9 2021-inch iPad Pro will be Apple's first to feature a mini LED screen. There are also rumors of an 11-inch iPad Pro, but we believe that Apple will still use an LCD display in this model. Having a mini LED on such a product would be a welcome addition for creative professionals as it greatly improves color fidelity, contrast and peak brightness when you are doing color sensitive work.
The 12,9-inch iPad Pro is also considered a beast in the specs department, if those numbers are correct. The upcoming flagship tablet could be equipped with the A14X Bionic, which various opinions say is just another chip option. M1 that works on the latest Macs. In case you're wondering, M1 might easy to compete с 16-inch MacBook Pro.
There is also a possibility that the new line of tablets supports Thunderbolt and 5G connectivity, with Apple possibly relying on a Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G modem, the same chip found in the iPhone 12 family. In terms of design, renders show that the 12,9-inch iPad Pro might not differ much from 2020 iPad Pro , which isn't a deal breaker because most customers will prioritize how a tablet works over how it looks.
AirTags
We don't think AirTags are expected to be a major product release, but they could be your biggest ally, depending on the situation. If you have heard of Tile, AirTags will be considered its competitor and can be used as a one-stop tool for finding various items such as keys and bags. According to previous information, AirTags may also use ultra-wideband technology for location tracking.
To make this possible, Apple could use the same U1 chip found in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 series. If you're wondering what AirTags will look like, previously leaked renders show that Tile-like competitors will have a round form factor, with the size of these trackers possibly larger than a bottle cap. The previous rumor also claimed that this product could have replaceable batteries, which means the product will last you indefinitely.
Unfortunately, pricing is an area that hasn't been discussed in previous rumors, but we wouldn't be surprised if they cost you $99 per unit.
Apple TV 6
The Apple TV 6 may be the most powerful entertainment box the company has released, though we wouldn't be surprised if its look remains the same as previous versions. However, Apple is in no rush to make an announcement as one specialist said it could be placed at any time in 2020. Apple may have done a little hardware tweaking, but we guess it's worth the wait. . Why?
According to previous rumors, the Apple TV 6 could be equipped with A12X Bionic , the same chip as the 2018 iPad Pro lineup, making it a compact powerhouse. However, a separate rumor claims that he will be fueled by A14 Bionic and the car will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2021, not in April. Developers can also be sent a prototype Apple TV, touting performance similar to the A14X Bionic, for testing graphics-intensive games, just to see how it performs.
This rumor could give a boost to Apple's plans to make gaming gadgets capable of rivaling "Breath of the Wild" and the Apple TV 6 will have no problem running them at decent framerates. Apple may also include a dedicated game controller in the box along with an improved cooling solution for the Apple TV so that the performance cores can run at the highest possible frequency without thermal restrictions. The latest iOS 14.5 beta code leak suggests the new Apple TV will also support 120Hz refresh rates.
This should make the whole tvOS experience super smooth and also provide the same experience while playing. Those looking forward to the Apple TV 6 should definitely wait for this hardware.
AirPods 3
AirPods 3 will replace the model second generation , and for the first time, Apple may be redesigning its non-professional wireless earbuds. In short, according to the leaked images and renders, we should expect a smaller size like the AirPods Pro . Unfortunately, in order to make them more affordable, we don't believe features like active noise cancellation will make it to the final product, so customers will think about it before buying.
As for the launch, unfortunately, the latest update from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the mass production of these wireless headphones will start from the third quarter of 2021 . This could mean that Apple could introduce the AirPods 3 much earlier, but put them up for sale much later. We'll find out during the Spring Loaded event, so be patient.
Apple Silicon iMac
Apple may imagine colorful and redesigned iMac models on April 20, at least according to a cryptic tweet from a trusted leaker. However, another rumor suggests that the new machines postponed until October , so in a couple of days we will know what the company is planning. We must expect to appear displays in two sizes , as well as a redesigned chassis that will significantly reduce bezels.
As for the internals, Apple is also reportedly developing a powerful chipset for this machine, but so far there are three reports discussing different things. Or the company is working on M2 , making it a direct successor to the M1 if we consider model names, or A14T . One analyst also states that the new SoC will have 12 cores and be based on the M1.
If we're lucky, Apple's Spring Loaded will be exciting, and there's a chance your favorite product will be part of the line too. If you think there's more to announce on April 20, let us know in the comments.