iPhone 13, AirPods 3 and more to come from exciting fall for Apple fans

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A smaller battery and slower MagSafe charging seem to be the iPhone 12 mini's only weaknesses.
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The next couple of months could prove very exciting for Apple fans, with Cupertino planning a whole bunch of big product releases before the year is out. One reliable reporter predicts that in addition to “iPhone 13” and Apple Watch Series 7, we can expect new AirPods and a refreshed iPad models.

And that’s just the start of it.

Even if you don’t plan to upgrade your iPhone this year, there are other Apple products on the way that could convince you to part with your hard-earned cash. We’ve been hearing about most of them for a while now, but for those who still aren’t sure what to expect, Mark Gurman has the answers.

In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, the reliable Bloomberg reporter lays out his predictions for Apple’s big announcements this fall. And we couldn’t be more exciting for Cupertino’s next event.

iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7

Let’s start with the obvious. Apple plans to refresh its iPhone lineup this fall — as is tradition. And Gurman believes that despite this year’s refresh being a “classic Apple S model,” the lineup will, as other reports have indicated, be named “iPhone 13.” It will also bring some pretty impressive improvements.

Gurman expects iPhone 13 to be powered by Apple’s next-generation A15 chip, which will likely be faster and more efficient than the A14 Bionic found in iPhone 12. Pro models are also expected to feature faster ProMotion displays that can hit refresh rates of 120Hz, and new camera capabilities.

Apple Watch Series 7 could be the first to see any obvious external design changes, Gurman wrote. The new models are expected to sport flat displays — like those found in the current iPhone lineup — that use new screen technologies. They could also feature faster chips of their own.

Gurman also predicts the refreshed Apple Watch lineup will launch alongside some Apple Fitness+ features, including Time to Run and audio meditations.

AirPods 3 and new iPad models

Apple will finally refresh the entry-level AirPods lineup, too, Gurman said — and it will be “the most significant update” since the first AirPods debuted in 2016. As other leaks have hinted, they could look a lot like AirPods Pro — with a new shape and shorter stems — but without the silicone ear tips.

This new form factor is expected to help with noise isolation, but third-generations AirPods will not get active noise cancellation or the Transparency audio mode that AirPods Pro owners paid extra for.

When it comes to iPad, Gurman expects at least two new models this fall. In addition to a “slimmer and faster” 10.2-inch iPad aimed at students, we could see a significant iPad mini redesign with an edge-to-edge display and the new A15 chip. It could also feature USB-C connectivity and a Smart Connector, like iPad Air and iPad Pro.

And more for 2021

Although that’s likely to be it for Apple’s September/October event, Gurman and others are expecting more before the end of 2021. Recent reports have predicted a major MacBook Pro refresh that could bring bigger displays and faster Apple Silicon chips, and perhaps an even faster Mac mini.

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