Apple’s 2022 iPad is getting a larger 10.5-inch display, USB-C port and 5G

The rumor: Apple is planning the biggest refresh in years for their cheapest iPad, according to 9to5Mac (82.8% accurate, source).

  • Apple is nixing the Lightning port in favor of USB-C, so the entire iPad lineup will now feature the same connector
  • There’s a larger 10.5-inch display coming, which Ross Young (92.9% accurate) has also reported
  • An A14 Bionic chip will power the device and should be around 30% faster than the current A13 processor
  • Finally, cellular models will also be the first to support 5G connectivity

Sam’s take: This is going to be a huge leap forward for Apple’s $329 iPad. 10.5-inch screen, USB-C and A14? The sweetness of the cheapest iPad just keeps getting sweeter. Going to be an even crazier value when the device drops later this year!

Apple accidentally leaks unreleased 35W dual USB-C charger

The leak: Apple is working on a new type of charger they’ve never released before, according to a support document seen by 9to5Mac (82.8% accurate).

Here’s the story…

Sam’s take: Apple has consistently lagged behind contemporary innovation in the charger market for years now. GaN technology, which allows you to pack more power in a smaller charging design that runs cooler, is only available in one of Apple’s chargers at this time…and it’s the most expensive charger they sell. Folks like Spigen (disclosure: who I’ve worked with as a sponsor on YouTube) offer much more compelling options at better prices. I’m not asking for Apple to even be superior here: just up to par.

iPhone 14 may feature rumored satellite connectivity, but no more mini model

The rumor: A new report from 9to5Mac (82.8% accurate) is just in with some fresh details about the upcoming iPhone 14 series, set to debut later this year.

Here’s what you should know…

Sam’s take: I am over-the-moon to hear that satellite messaging is still in the works. As I said when we first heard about this months ago: this will be game-changing. I think this is reactively likely to happen on iPhone 14, even though 9to5Mac didn’t say it would definitively.

Apple cancels iMac Pro plans and won’t be releasing a larger-screen iMac with Apple Silicon

The rumor: Apple’s flagship all-in-one is dead and isn’t coming back anytime soon, according to 9to5Mac (82.8% accurate).

Here’s the story…

  • “Apple currently has no plans to release a larger-screen iMac in the near future…this not only applies to a larger screen model, but also versions with Pro, Max, or Ultra chips” 9to5Mac says
  • The company is apparently shifting focus to the new Mac Studio and Studio Display, which were just announced on March 8 at Apple’s Peek Performance event
  • A new 24-inch iMac powered by M2 is said to be coming in 2023, however, as Apple plans to move forward with that line

Sam’s take: As saddened as I am to hear this…I get it. The 27-inch iMac and 27-inch Studio Display would be competing products at a price range around $1,599. I have no doubt that sometime in the future we’ll see a bigger iMac return…but I don’t think right now is then.

M2 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro set to release before end of 2022

The rumor: Apple is working on new laptops with M2 chips inside, according to 9to5Mac (82.4% accurate).

Here’s the latest…

  • The new MacBook Air, releasing later this year, will have a M2 chip inside featuring an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 9to5Mac says
  • Apple’s also preparing to drop a new 13-inch MacBook Pro…but it’s based on the previous-generation design that could include a Touch Bar (it’ll have the same M2 chip described above)

Sam’s take: There have been numerous conflicting reports on what Mac laptops Apple will end up releasing this year, but this news seems to paint the clearest picture yet: we’re getting 2 lower-end laptops with new M2 chips. Sounds right to me.

Apple still working on M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini coming later this year

The rumor: Apple is planning 2 new chips for the upcoming, redesigned Mac mini, according to 9to5Mac (82.4% accurate).

Here’s their latest exclusive…

  • One Mac mini in development will have a M2 chip, featuring an 8-core CPU but updated 10-core GPU
  • Apple is also making a Mac mini with a M2 Pro chip inside, which will have a new 12-core CPU (no details about the GPU on this one were shared)
  • This seems to be the entire processing story for the next Mac mini, as 9to5Mac says that “Apple currently has no plans to release a version with the M2 Max or Ultra chips”

Sam’s take: Most intriguing here is this new 12-core CPU configuration on the M2 Pro chip that we haven’t seen yet: Apple’s chips available now only come in 8, 10 or 20-core CPU variants. Apparently Apple was initially planning to put M1 Pro and M1 Max chips inside this Mac mini, but this was reportedly scrapped due to the Mac Studio… Overall, the next Mac mini looks like it’ll be situated on the low-to-middle-end of Apple’s lineup.

New iPad Air may get M1 chip according to fresh rumor

The rumor: Apple is planning to put the popular M1 processor in the next iPad Air, according to 9to5Mac (82.4% accurate).

The latest report…

  • “Based on information seen by 9to5Mac, iPad Air 5 (codenamed J408) will have the same M1 chip that Apple uses in the 2021 models of the iPad Pro”
  • The new display will be the same resolution as the existing iPad Air (suggesting that the current 10.9-inch size will remain)
  • 5G is definitely coming, too

Sam’s take: I wouldn’t believe this…but Apple has put Mac chips in iPads before. So, sure, if the iPad Air is getting M1, then I guess the new iPad Pro will get a M2 chip?

Apple working on all-new ‘Mac Studio’ computer with chip ‘even more powerful’ than M1 Max

The rumor: To fill the gap between Mac mini and Mac Pro, Apple is developing a new desktop called “Mac Studio,” according to 9to5Mac (82.4% accurate).

What you should know…

  • Apple is working on 2 options: one with a M1 Max chip and another with a new chip more powerful than M1 Max
  • Internally known as J375, the upcoming Mac desktop doesn’t have a known release date but could ship alongside a new 7K “Apple Studio Display” that is also in the works

Sam’s take: This might be the most exciting Mac news we’ve heard since Apple officially announced their transition to Apple Silicon in mid-2020. An all-new Mac desktop? When’s the last time we got one of those? And it would make a lot of sense to fill the gap between the low-end Mac mini and high-end Mac Pro desktops…

Upcoming ‘Apple Studio Display’ will have 7K resolution, A13 processor inside

The rumor: Apple is working on an even higher-end display for pros, according to 9to5Mac (82.4% accurate).

The details…

  • “While it’s unclear whether the new Apple Studio Display is a replacement for the Pro Display XDR or a new option in the lineup with distinct features, people familiar with the matter told 9to5Mac that the new display has a 7K resolution”
  • 9to5Mac speculates that this could mean a larger 36-inch display with a 218PPI density is coming
  • The rumor site previously shared details about this same display last year, including that it will have an A13 chip with neural engine inside

Sam’s take: This is…somehow crazier than the existing Pro Display XDR. A potentially 36-inch screen with 7K resolution? It’s safe to say this is not the consumer monitor that we’ve been hearing about. This is an even higher-end (and potentially more expensive) display for legitimate professionals who have coin to blow.

2022 iPad Pro won’t see redesign as rumored, but MagSafe & bigger battery coming

The rumor: Apple is planning a new iPad Pro for 2022 that won’t look all that different, according to 9to5Mac (79% accurate).

Here’s the report…

Our take: As much as I think an all-glass tablet would look out-of-this-world cool…it would be quite heavy and extremely prone to damage. It sounds like Apple has abandoned plans for that and is eyeing a more toned down design update for 2022. Will the rumored larger battery mean we finally get more than 10 hours of advertised battery life on an iPad for the fist time?

Apple Pro Display XDR 2 may feature A13 chip & neural engine

The rumor: Apple is working on a follow-up to their existing high-end display that will be as powerful as an iPhone 11, according to 9to5Mac (78.7% accurate, source).

  • To assist with more intensive tasks, an Apple-designed A13 processor may be inlaced on the next Pro Display XDR…alongside a neural engine
  • Apple first introduced the Pro Display XDR in June 2019 at WWDC alongside the revamped Mac Pro
  • No release date for Apple’s next high-end XDR display is known

Our take: Was really hoping this would be for the rumored lower-end consumer display that is in the works. But for those waiting for a second Pro Display XDR, these upgrades sound incredible and I’m glad to see Apple working to add more value to the five thousand dollar behemoth.