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In an average year, Apple holds three to four events. There’s usually a spring event in March, the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, a September event that’s focused on iPhone and Apple Watch, and sometimes an October event if there are iPads or Macs expected in the fall.
In this guide, we’re keeping track of all of the Apple events that are on the horizon and what we’re expecting to see at each one, so make sure to check back in regularly. We’re expecting multiple events to take place in 2022, including WWDC and the September iPhone event.
Note that the product launch information in this guide is based on rumors and estimates, and actual launch timelines could vary.
Spring 2022 – March 8 “Peek Performance” Event
Apple in March 2022 held a “Peek Performance” event that saw the introduction of the first products of the year.
Apple unveiled the third-generation iPhone SE with 5G and an A15 chip, the fifth-generation iPad Air with M1 chip and 5G, the Mac mini/Mac Pro hybrid called the Mac Studio with new high-end M1 Ultra chip, and the Studio Display, a new 27-inch 5K display that’s priced at $1,599.
June Event – WWDC
Apple always holds its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, and we’re not expecting any deviation from the standard plan in 2022. WWDC often takes place early in the month, and for the last two years, it has been a digital event rather than an in-person event. This year’s keynote is set to be held on Monday, June 6.
It’s likely that WWDC will continue to be a digital-only event in 2022 due to the ongoing global health crisis. WWDC will see the introduction of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, tvOS 16, and macOS 13.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman has said that after the March event, Apple is planning to introduce additional new Macs around May or June, and WWDC would be the ideal time for these machines to be announced. Possibilities include a new MacBook Air and an introduction of the Apple silicon Mac Pro.
Mac Pro
Apple is working on an updated version of the Mac Pro that could feature an Apple silicon chip with up to 40 compute cores and 128 graphics cores, which would be double the performance of the M1 Ultra in the Mac Studio. We’re not expecting design changes for the Mac Pro, and the update will see Apple completing its transition to Apple silicon across the Mac lineup.
MacBook Air
Apple is developing a thinner and lighter version of the MacBook Air that will have thinner bezels than the current model. The bezels and the keyboard will be an off-white color, and the chassis will not have a wedge shape. The machine will feature a mini-LED display, MagSafe charging technology and USB-C ports for connecting external devices, but it won’t have an HDMI port or an SD card slot. It’s rumored to include an M2 chip with an 8-core CPU and 9 to 10-core GPU.
iOS 16
We don’t know a whole lot about iOS 16 at this point, but Apple is working on new features for notifications, the Messages app, the Lock screen, and more, with some of the rumored features listed below.
- Overhauled Lock screen with wallpapers that have “widget-like capabilities.”
- There will be “significant” improvements to notifications, though we don’t know specific details.
- Messages app with “social network-like functionality” with a specific focus on audio messages.
- Health app with expanded sleep tracking functionality and medicine management. Apple is working on a tool that will let users scan their pill bottles into the app, plus there are new women’s health features expected.
- Fresh Apple apps are in the works, with no more specific information.
- Apple is also working on “new ways of system interaction,” but it’s not quite clear what that means.
- New Fitness+ workout types.
- Apple Music classical app with interface based on Primephonic, an app Apple acquired in 2021.
iPadOS 16
iPadOS 16 will get many of the new features that are introduced in iOS 16, but Apple is also working on additional functionality that’s iPad specific.
There is a new multitasking interface that’s in the works, and it will include a notable overhaul to multitasking and windowing on the tablet form factor. Apple could perhaps bring iPadOS more in line with macOS, but specifics are unclear.
macOS 13
We don’t know much about the feature set coming to macOS 13, as there have been few leaks. It is rumored to feature an overhauled System Preferences interface that will bring it more in line with the Settings app on iPhone and iPad, with the update to include individual settings organized by app.
Apple is also expected to revamp some of the default apps, so we could see improvements to Messages, Mail, Safari, and more. Messages in particular is rumored to be getting social network-like functionality with enhancements to audio messages. That’s an iOS 16 rumor, but Messages usually has feature parity across platforms.
watchOS 9
watchOS 9 will have some updates that impact the day-to-day operation and navigation on the wrist-worn device.
- Updated power saving mode that will allow for the use of apps and features while cutting down on battery usage.
- Expanded atrial fibrillation detection feature with added “burden,” aka how often a person is in a state of atrial fibrillation across a period of time.
- Improved health and activity tracking.
- More workout types.
- Additional metrics for running workouts.
- Refresh for existing watch faces.
tvOS 16
tvOS 16 it is rumored to include new smart home tie-ins. You may be able to do more with your smart home products through the Apple TV following the launch of the update.
September Event
Apple holds an annual iPhone-centric event in September to introduce new iPhone models, and this year, we’re expecting the iPhone 14 and the Apple Watch Series 8.
iPhone 14
We’re expecting four iPhone 14 models in 2022, including the 6.1-inch iPhone 14, the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max. There will be no 5.4-inch iPhone 14 mini.
The iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to feature a “hole-punch” design that does away with the notch for a larger display area. The front-facing camera will be located in a small cutout, and Face ID hardware will be in a second pill-shaped cutout. Other possible features include a titanium frame for the Pro models, camera improvements, a faster A16 chip, always-on display (Pro only), and a faster 5G modem.
Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 could get new health features that include temperature sensing, and sleep apnea detection, and more advanced features like blood glucose monitoring and blood pressure measurements are a possibility, though may not be coming until a later date.
The Series 8 could include car crash detection, and there is expected to be a rugged model that will better hold up to extreme usage. Along with the Series 8, we’re expecting an Apple Watch SE to come at the same time.
October/November Event
Along with a September event, Apple sometimes holds a second fall event, usually focused on Macs and iPads. It’s not entirely clear what we might see at this event, but a revamped MacBook Air is a definite possibility.
Apple is working on an AR/VR headset and while rumors initially said that it could be unveiled at WWDC, Apple is facing development issues and a WWDC debut is now unlikely.
The end of 2022 is the earliest that we might see the AR/VR headset, but Apple may also push the release back to 2023, so there’s a chance we won’t see it in 2022 at all. If there is an AR/VR headset unveiled in 2022, it will happen at a late fall event.
iPad Pro
Apple is rumored to be refreshing the iPad Pro in 2022, and the 11-inch model could get the same mini-LED display introduced in the 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro. A glass back that would allow for wireless charging is also a possibility, as is a reverse wireless charging feature that would let the iPad Pro charge devices like the AirPods.
13-Inch MacBook Pro
Apple is working on an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro that could use the next-generation M2 chip with 8-core GPU and 9 or 10-core GPU. Release timing is not known, but the M2 chip likely won’t be coming out until the fall.
13-Inch MacBook Pro
Apple is working on an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro that could use the next-generation M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 9 or 10-core GPU. Release timing is not known, but the M2 chip likely won’t be coming out until the fall. It’s possible that Apple will rename the 13-inch MacBook Pro “MacBook,” dropping the Pro labeling.
Mac mini
Apple is developing a high-end version of the Mac mini, which will feature additional ports and a more powerful Apple silicon chip. It’s expected to use M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and it could have a fresh design. There’s no concrete word on when it might be released.
Products with Unknown Release Dates
There are several additional new products rumored to be coming in 2022, but we don’t know their exact release dates just yet. Here’s what’s coming:
- Low-Cost iPad – Apple is working on a new version of the low-cost iPad, which is expected to include an updated A-series chip.
- AirPods Pro – Apple is working on a new version of the AirPods Pro with a more compact design and a new wireless chip. The design is said to eliminate the short stem that sticks out from the bottom, resulting in a more rounded shape closer in design to competing wire-free earbuds from Google and Samsung.
- Larger iMac – Rumors suggest Apple is working on a larger-screened version of the iMac that will be sold alongside the 24-inch model, and this iMac could be called the “iMac Pro.” It could feature a Pro Display XDR-like design, a 27-inch mini-LED display with ProMotion technology, and M1 Pro/M1 Max chips.
- 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro – Apple is working on updated versions of the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that will use M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. The M2 Max chip will feature a 12-core CPU and a 38-core GPU, and the new machines are currently expected sometime in 2023.
- AR/VR Headset – Apple is working on an augmented/virtual reality headset that is rumored to feature a dedicated high-end display, built-in processor, and an “rOS” or reality operating system. Input will be via touch panels, voice activation, and hand gestures, and it’s said to have a high price point at around $3,000. The AR/VR headset is likely to be unveiled in 2023.
Further in the Future
- AR/VR Headset – Apple is working on augmented/virtual reality headset that is rumored to feature a dedicated high-end display, built-in processor, and an “rOS” or reality operating system. Input will be via touch panels, voice activation, and hand gestures, and it’s said to have a high price point at around $3,000. The AR/VR headset could come at the end of 2022, but Apple is facing development issues so it could be pushed to 2023.
- Foldable iPhone – Apple is allegedly working on a foldable iPhone that might be between 7.5 and 8 inches, with a launch date slated for 2023 at the earliest.
- Apple Car – There have been a lot of twists and turns in the saga of Apple’s electric car development, but reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is still planning on a full autonomous vehicle rather than just an autonomous car software offering, with a launch to happen between 2023 and 2025.
