Top Stories: Apple event next Tuesday, Mini-LED iPad Pro, iPhone rumors

It feels like we’ve been waiting an eternity for new Apple products, but the wait is almost over as Apple has announced a media event for next Tuesday. MacRumors for full coverage of everything Apple is announcing.

While that was the big news this week, we also got some new details about Apple’s iPhone plans for 2022 and 2023, courtesy of analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, and we also saw some leaked iPhone cases in new colors that would be released next week. may appear. event. Read on for details on these stories and more!

What to Expect From April 20 Apple Event: New iPads, AirTags, and More

After endless rumors about if and when there would be an Apple Event this spring, a date has finally been set. Hours after Siri leaked the news, Apple announced it will host a virtual event on Tuesday, April 20 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, with a stream available on its website and YouTube.

As with Apple’s 2020 virtual events, this event will feature a pre-recorded video of Apple executives speaking from locations around Apple Park headquarters in California. Apple is widely expected to introduce new iPads at the event, including a new iPad Pro with a Mini LED display, and there may be other surprises in store such as Apple’s highly anticipated AirTags item trackers or a redesigned iMac with Apple Silicon.

iOS 14.5 will likely release next week after more than two months of beta testing. The software update is packed with new features, including the ability for iPhone users wearing an Apple Watch to unlock the iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask. Check out our complete rundown of everything we expect or can see at next week’s event.

MacRumors Get in-depth coverage of Apple’s event on our platforms, including a live blog on our website and live tweets via @MacRumorsLive on Twitter, so make sure to follow next week!

Mini-LED iPad Pro expected at Apple Event on April 20th as production ramps up

One of the new products Apple is expected to announce at the April 20 event is an iPad Pro with a mini LED display, and DigiTimes reported this week that Apple supplier Ennostar will ramp up production of Mini-LED chips for the tablet later this month.

Mini LED backlighting will reportedly be exclusive to the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with benefits such as increased screen brightness, improved contrast, and more compared to LCD screens used in current iPad Pro models . A new 11-inch iPad Pro is still expected, and both tablet sizes are rumored to get a faster A14X chip, Thunderbolt support, improved camera systems, and 5G support for mobile models.

Due to manufacturing issues, the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro may ship later than the 11-inch model and will initially be available in limited quantities.

2022 iPhones would have a 48-megapixel camera and 8K video recording, without a 5.4 “mini option

While we are still several months away from Apple unveiling the so-called iPhone 13 series, the rumor mill is already looking ahead to next year.

Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said this week that the iPhone line-up will consist of four models for 2022, including two high-end 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch models and two low-end 6.1-inch models. -inch and 6.7-inch models.

Kuo said iPhones will receive significant camera upgrades for 2022, including a 48-megapixel rear lens and 8K video recording.

Notably absent from the 2022 iPhone lineup is a 5.4-inch “mini” model, which looks like it will make it to the end of the line next year. That wouldn’t come as much of a surprise as multiple reports have indicated that iPhone 12 mini sales have been mediocre compared to other iPhone 12 models since the devices launched in October. However, rumors suggest there will still be an iPhone 13 mini, so it looks like the 5.4-inch model will last for another year.

According to rumors, Apple will adopt the Face ID of the display from 2023 on iPhones

Looking even further ahead, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo made some predictions for iPhones for 2023 this week, including the introduction of Face ID under the display, which would allow a full-screen design without a notch or holes in the screen.

The notch has remained unchanged since its introduction on the iPhone X in 2017, but rumors suggest we’ll finally see a smaller notch on iPhone 13 models this year. Kuo said Apple will then switch to a display design for at least 2022 iPhones, followed by the full-screen design in 2023. Android smartphone maker ZTE demoed the first under-screen facial recognition system a few months ago, proving the performance is technologically possible.

Kuo also expects iPhones to have a periscope camera lens by 2023, allowing for a significantly improved optical zoom that goes well beyond the current 2.5x limit on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Leaked photos show spring colors for iPhone 12 cases

While rumors have focused on new products such as a Mini-LED iPad Pro arriving at Apple’s event on April 20, new spring colors are also expected for select iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands.

Twitter user “Tommy Boi” recently shared a photo of some of the reportedly new colors of the iPhone 12 cases, including Cantaloupe, Pistachio, Capri Blue and Amethyst. The leaks have since continued, with Twitter user “Majin Bu” sharing a photo featuring three more reportedly new colors with no names, including a sky blue, mustard yellow and a red. The new spring colors will likely expand to Apple Watch bands such as the Sport Band and Solo Loop.

The colors of the iPhone case and Apple Watch band are often renewed on a seasonal basis. These latest color options will likely be added to Apple’s online store to buy after Tuesday’s event.

Hands-on with Anker’s MagSafe compatible battery pack

Anker, a company known for its line of accessories designed for Apple products, recently released one of the first MagSafe compatible battery packs, so we thought we’d check it out to see how it compares to a standard battery.

With a capacity of 5,000 mAh, the battery can fully charge an iPhone 12 mini, but for other iPhones you only get a partial charge. Anker says it can charge the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro up to 95 percent and the iPhone 12 Pro Max up to 75 percent, so it doesn’t have as much capacity as other power banks on the market, but it’s still a handy charge if you’re in. in no time.

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