6 things we didn’t see at the Apple event — AirPods 3, iPad mini 6 and more

6 things nosotros didn't see at the Apple effect — AirPods iii, iPad mini vi and more than

(Image credit: Apple)

The Apple tree Spring Loaded outcome ended later a raft of major product announcements, from the iPad Pro 2021 and its mini-LED display to the Apple AirTag tracker and the slim, M1-packing iMac 2021. Merely there were also some notable omissions: Apple devices that have been rumored for months, if non specifically tipped for this event, withal didn't testify.

While not all of them are likely to launch soon, here are the 5 biggest potential Apple products that we're still waiting on.

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Whether it's a new pair of true wireless earbuds in the AirPods 3 or the rumored iPad mini six, these are the products to watch out for now that the Spring Loaded event has unwinded.

AirPods 3

Leading upward the Apple outcome it felt like the AirPods 3 had a 50-50 chance of appearing. Multiple reports suggested the AirPods 3 wouldn't fifty-fifty be ready for mass production until the 2nd half of the year, though with a handful of design leaks filtering through as well, Apple tree's next wireless earbuds could have made a surprise showing even if it was just a teaser.

For now, we'll have to await a little longer, though we notwithstanding have a better idea of how the AirPods 3 will turn out than some of Apple tree's other rumored products. It's set to copy the design and potentially some features of the AirPods Pro, so expect shorter stems and perhaps spatial sound support — even if more premium extras like agile dissonance counterfoil looks unlikely.

iPad mini 6

At times the iPad mini can experience like the forgotten child of Apple's tablet lineup. And the Apple Spring Outcome hammered that home for me. A suite of leaks and rumors has suggested nosotros'd see the iPad mini 6 with a micro-LED display and a blueprint reminiscent of the iPad Pro and iPad Air, both with much narrower display bezels. Instead, nosotros got an upgraded iPad Pro and nothing more.

Equally such, I've gone from being hopeful well-nigh an iPad mini redesign to thinking that it might exist the end of the line for the compact tablet. That'll be a shame, equally fifty-fifty in the era of large screen smartphones, the iPad mini is a killer pocketable note-taking, media and gaming device. Withal, if Apple plans to replace the iPad mini with a foldable device, say the iPhone Flip, to deliver a smaller tablet experience, then I'll shelf my ire at Cupertino's shunning of the iPad mini half dozen.

Apple M1X chip

MacBook Pro 2020 M1 chip — (Image credit: Apple tree)

Rumors have been bubbling around nigh an upgraded Apple tree M1 fleck for future Mac machines. The so-called Apple M1X fleck is tipped to exist the slice of in-house silicon from Cupertino that would ability the iMac 2021. But it turns out Apple's refreshed all-in-i computer uses the existing M1 fleck, likely offering more performance thanks to more space for cooling.

However, this is a lilliputian disappointing equally nosotros'd hoped the M1X would run into Apple take the impressive performance it delivered from the M1 and give it a further boost in CPU and graphics ability. No M1X chip however means we could expect to see it make its debut in refreshed or redesigned MacBooks later this yr.

iPad ix

Apple refreshed the standard iPad in 2019 giving it a 10.2-inch display upgrade from ix.7 inches basically turning it into an iPad Air from 2019. Then in 2020 the standard iPad got a minor specs heave. However, it's even so sporting a design that'south rather dated, with big bezels and the Abode button, while the iPad Air had a much sleeker makeover. A tenuous hint or ii had suggested we could see an iPad refresh revealed at the Apple event, following in the footsteps of the new iPad Pro. Only that didn't happen.

If and when a new entry-level iPad arrives, we're hoping for a much sleeker design, Touch on ID integrated into the power push button and an improved display.

Apple tree Pencil three

iPad Pro 2021 — (Paradigm credit: Apple)

With the debut of a new iPad Pro, nosotros'd not accept been surprised to run across a tertiary-generation Apple Pencil. Sadly the Apple Pencil 3 was nowhere to exist seen. The second-gen Apple pencil was a marked upgrade over the first-gen one, just the third could accept added a few actress upgrades and color options.

Given Apple tree boosted the power of the iPad Pro with the M1 chip, a new Pencil could have been tweaked to enable more smart options, also as improved sensitivity and responsiveness. The return of the original Apple Pencil'south glossy finish was likewise tipped for the Apple tree Pencil 3, but it'southward looking like we'll have to wait for that. Just hither are some of the best Apple Pencil alternatives in the concurrently.

MacBook Pro 14-inch

MacBook Pro concept — (Epitome credit: Shutterstock)

Churr effectually a 14-inch MacBook Pro has been gathering stride of late, to the extent we thought we could see one pop upwardly at Apple's event. But if the MacBook Pro 14-inch is indeed in the works, it probable won't be set for at least a few more months.

What nosotros'd been hoping to see was a MacBook Pro with a fresh blueprint that pops a 14-inch Retina display into a slim and light chassis. Nosotros'd also hoped to see a possible mini-LED brandish and an improved M1 flake. We'd await to see the MacBook Pro 14-inch launch at the same time Apple takes the covers of the M1X, likely using the laptop every bit the flagship machine for the next-gen slice of Apple Silicon.

More: The iPad Pro 2021'southward best feature — no, information technology'south not the mini-LED brandish

Roland Moore-Colyer is U.K. Editor at Tom'south Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. He oftentimes writes virtually gaming, phones, laptops and other $.25 of hardware; he's too got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can be found wandering effectually London, often with a look of marvel on his face.