After the September event, which featured new iPhone and Apple Watch models and the AirPods Pro 2, Apple often holds another event in October, highlighting new iPad and Mac models, and this year will likely be no exception.
According to rumors plant For the October event, Apple is announcing new iPad Pro models with M2 chip, a redesigned entry-level 10th generation iPad, and at least a few more Macs with M2 chip, including the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro, the Mac mini, and/or the Mac Pro.
iPad Pro with M2 chip
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple plans to release new iPad Pro models in October with the M2 chip and support for wireless charging with MagSafe. Both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models of the iPad Pro are expected to be updated, with the 11-inch model still not having a miniLED display. According to Japanese blog Mac Otakara, the next iPad Pro models will have a similar body design to the current models, but with "four-pin connectors" on the top and bottom edges. What purpose these connectors serve and whether they will replace the existing three-pin Smart Connector on the iPad Pro is unclear. Apple last updated the iPad Pro in April 2021. New features include the M1 chip, a Thunderbolt port, 5G support for cellular models, a miniLED display on the 12.9-inch model, and an improved 12-megapixel front-facing camera with support for Apple's Center Stage feature, which helps you stay in the frame in video apps like FaceTime.
10th generation iPad
Apple is expected to unveil a redesigned entry-level iPad in October with a larger 10.5-inch display, a USB-C port, and a flat body with a camera bump on the back. Other rumors include an A14 Bionic chip and 5G support for cellular models. Additionally, the 10th-generation iPad is expected to continue to feature a Touch ID home button, but rumors suggest the device will no longer have a headphone jack. Apple launched the 9th-generation iPad in September 2021. Key features include a 10.2-inch display, an A13 Bionic chip, an improved 12-megapixel front-facing camera with support for the Center Stage feature, True Tone, and doubling of the base storage.
More Macs with M2 chips
In late August, Gurman said Apple is working on M2-based Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro models, adding that we'll "probably see at least a pair of these devices in about two months," which is October. However, it's possible that some of these Macs will be announced later this year or next year.
Mac mini with M2 and M2 Pro chips
Apple launched the Mac mini with an M1 chip as one of the first three Apple Silicon Macs in November 2020. Nearly two years later, a new version of the Mac mini with an M2 chip is on the horizon, according to Gurman. Apple still sells a higher-priced Mac mini configuration with Intel processors, but Gurman says that will be replaced by a model with an M2 Pro chip.
MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips
The next generation of 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are "in development and testing" and are expected to launch "this fall," according to Gurman. As has been the case in recent years, the timeline could be pushed back due to supply chain disruptions or other factors. While some reports have suggested that the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips could be Apple's first 3nm chips, it looks more likely that the chips will stick to 5nm. The processors would feature modest performance gains compared to the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. The number of GPU cores and memory (RAM) will likely be increased.
Mac Pro with “M2 Ultra” and “M2 Extreme” chips
Following the announcement of the Mac Studio in March 2022, Apple has hinted that a version of the Mac Pro tower with Apple silicon will come later. In 2020, Apple said the transition from Intel processors to Apple Silicon chips across the Mac lineup would take about two years, so the announcement of the new Mac Pro is expected in late 2022. According to Gurman, the new Mac Pro will feature the "M2 Ultra" and "M2 Extreme" chips. It's possible that the new Mac Pro will be smaller due to the switch to Apple Silicon. It remains unclear whether the desktop computer will have major design changes compared to the current Intel-based model, which launched in December 2019. The new Mac Pro would be the fastest Mac ever and would significantly outperform the Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra chip.
Apple TV with A14 chip?
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to launch a new Apple TV with an "improved cost structure" in the second half of 2022. It remains unclear whether the device will be announced during the October event or at another time. According to Gurman, a new Apple TV with an A14 chip and 4GB of RAM is in development. It is not known whether this is the same model that Kuo mentioned. In any case, the internal upgrades would result in faster performance compared to the current Apple TV 4K, which is equipped with an A12 chip and 3GB of RAM.
iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura release dates
In addition to new hardware, new software is also expected. Apple said that iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura will be released in October. The exact release dates will probably be announced at the next event. (Image: Apple)
