Here’s everything you need to know about the new MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021). What might Apple have planned for the successor to its larger-sized MacBook Pro?
The MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) may not have made its long-anticipated debut at WWDC 2021. However, that doesn’t mean we won’t see Apple’s biggest MacBook make an appearance this year. On the contrary, rumors, leaks and speculations about the next-generation portable are stacking up. The MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 had made a splash with its bigger display, which provided more screen real-estate without increasing the actual size of the MacBook Pro 15-inch. However, the overall design hasn’t changed all that much, and its 13-inch brother got a nifty upgrade in Apple-made internals last year. So, fans of the larger MacBook Pro are anxious for an upgrade. From the looks of it, Apple might just deliver. The MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) is rumored to arrive with an even more impressive 10-core Apple Silicon CPU with eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficiency cores as well as up to 64GB RAM – although a more recent leak is saying that memory will be capped at 32GB. Design-wise, it’s anticipated to feature a mini-LED display, MagSafe charging, and a flat-edged design, as well as an SD card slot with UHS-II support and a backlit Touch ID button. If the rumors are to be trusted, the new MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) could therefore be the upgrade we’ve all been waiting for. Ahead of its alleged release, here’s everything you need to know about it, from the rumors to any official word or tease Apple itself has released. Apple’s revamped MacBook Pro 16-inch is likely to debut in Q3 of 2021, going by the most recent buzz on the laptop grapevine. One of the most reliable sources of leaks and tips on Apple, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, previously said that he believes that the incoming 16-inch model could debut in Q2 or Q3 of 2021. A recent DigiTimes report then pointed to a Q2 debut, but that isn’t the most reliable source in our experience, and Kuo has further predicted that fully redesigned MacBooks using Apple’s own custom ARM-based processors will be turning up in the second half of 2021. Most recently, Kuo reasserted the Q3 date for the launch of the MacBook Pro 16-inch refresh. Furthermore, respected tipster Mark Gurman has indicated a launch around mid-2021, which fits with Q3. In theory, then, the new MacBook Pro could have pitched up as soon as July, but without an announcement at WWDC, its more likely that we’ll see it toward the end of Q3. Of course, it’s entirely possible that even if Q3 is Apple’s plan, the launch window could change, particularly given the unusual level of disruption the tech industry has been subject to in recent times due to coronavirus interfering with supply chains and logistics. Regarding the cost, we haven’t yet heard anything on the grapevine as to what the asking price of the incoming MacBook Pro will be. The current MacBook Pro 16-inch starts at $2,399 (£2,399, AU$3,799), for reference, so that’s obviously a good ballpark figure in terms of where to set your expectations. As mentioned, a lot of the chatter coming from the rumor mill indicates that Apple is planning a proper redesign for this model, which is obviously exciting.
