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?<\/b>
\nThe MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) may not have made its long-anticipated debut at WWDC 2021. However, that doesn\u2019t mean we won\u2019t see Apple\u2019s 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 \u2013 although a more recent leak is saying that memory will be capped at 32GB. Design-wise, it\u2019s 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\u2019ve all been waiting for. Ahead of its alleged release, here\u2019s everything you need to know about it, from the rumors to any official word or tease Apple itself has released. Apple\u2019s 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\u2019t the most reliable source in our experience, and Kuo has further predicted that fully redesigned MacBooks using Apple\u2019s 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\u2019s entirely possible that even if Q3 is Apple\u2019s 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\u2019t 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 (\u00a32,399, AU$3,799), for reference, so that\u2019s 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. A report from Bloomberg (by Mark Gurman) observes that the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) will be \u2018similar\u2019 to its current incarnation, but will have changes to the design. According to a research note from Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple\u2019s revamped laptop will drop the \u2018curvy\u2019 looks of the current MacBook Pro 16-inch, instead utilizing a \u2018flat-edged form factor design\u2019 similar to the \u200ciPhone 12\u200c. One of the biggest rumored changes, though, as claimed by both the above sources, is the possibility that Apple is set to drop the Touch Bar; at least on some 16-inch models, anyway. The context-sensitive touch strip at the top of the keyboard is not favored by some \u2013 and adds to the cost of the MacBook Pro \u2013 so could therefore be dropped, Kuo believes, to be replaced by traditional function keys. Gurman reports that Apple is testing versions of the MacBook Pro 16-inch which don\u2019t have the Touch Bar, as some users don\u2019t find it convenient or particularly useful. In short, there may at least be versions of the MacBook Pro 16-inch that do not have the Touch Bar on board (although such a scenario may affect the amount of devs supporting the feature in their apps \u2013 if it isn\u2019t guaranteed that everyone will be using it). On the other hand, other speculation theorizes that rather than ditching it, Apple might go the other way and actually improve it. If Apple does indeed keep the Touch Bar \u2013 at least on some models of the MacBook Pro 16-inch \u2013 it could be Force Touch-enabled. In fact, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) could be the first Apple laptop to feature a Force Touch-enabled Touch Bar. This tech allows for the registering of different strengths of presses on the bar, which could be useful for activating additional functions \u2013 or perhaps avoiding accidental presses of the Touch Bar, which can be aggravating. Although the only evidence for this is an Apple patent thus far, and as we know, patents can often remain avenues of research that never reach a final product. We wouldn\u2019t hold our breath waiting for this one, in other words. All that said, an older leak \u2013 dating back to August 2020 \u2013 chewed over the prospect of an entirely new 2nd-generation Touch Bar, which could be considerably bigger than the existing strip. This does, however, fly very much in the face of what the more recent rumors we\u2019ve already covered \u2013 from more reliable Apple sources \u2013 seem to be saying. It doesn\u2019t seem likely that Apple would put more focus on the Touch Bar, in all honesty, although you never know… There\u2019s a design feature apparently set to return \u2013 the MagSafe charger. This was a popular charging setup in the past, which as the name suggests uses a magnetic connection, so if the cable is unexpectedly yanked \u2013 say, it\u2019s tripped over by someone \u2013 then it easily and harmlessly comes out (as opposed to pulling the plugged-in MacBook off a table, for example). MagSafe also offers faster charging, another potential boon with this switch \u2013 although hopefully Apple will maintain the possibility of USB-C charging as an option, too, if this is the route which the MacBook Pro 16-inch is taking. Again, both Kuo and Gurman believe this design change is coming. The Mini-LED screen is the other major notable rumor which keeps popping up around the MacBook Pro 16-inch. Kuo has previously predicted that some MacBook Pro models arriving in 2021 (and 2022) will benefit from Mini-LED technology ( as well as the iPad). Theoretically, the savings made from using the M1 processor (or its successor) will help to pay for the additional cost of Mini-LED. Mini-LED would mean a display with more vivid colors and better dynamic range, plus superior contrast and brightness in general \u2013 all with better power-efficiency. So it could be quite a substantial step up in terms of overall display quality. The potential fly in the ointment is that oddly, in Kuo\u2019s latest research note, there was no mention of Mini-LED at all. And the report from Gurman doesn\u2019t talk about Mini-LED tech either, but does note that Apple intends to improve the screen of the MacBook Pro 16-inch with \u201cbrighter, higher-contrast panels\u201d. Kuo has also indicated that the incoming MacBook Pro 16-inch will have more ports, although he didn\u2019t elaborate on exactly what those connectors might be. Still, that sounds like promising news for those hoping for good things on the connectivity front. (In our review of the current MacBook Pro 16-inch, one of the main downsides of the new model highlighted is that there are just four Thunderbolt ports, and no other connectivity options besides, like an SD card slot for example). Aside from the aforementioned design changes, Apple is intending to switch from Intel processors to its own silicon inside the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021). Ming-Chi Kuo has said that there will be no Intel CPU options for the new MacBook Pro 16-inch, with only Apple chips used, and Gurman reckons that Apple will go for the sequel to its M1 chip which will offer \u2018more cores and enhanced graphics\u2019. Exactly how many cores this successor chip \u2013 which may be named the M1X \u2013 will have has been the subject of some varied speculation, and we\u2019ve seen mention of up to 12-cores, or even 20-cores (with 16-cores plus 4 power-efficient cores). Take that with a large helping of caution, but any increase in the oomph provided by Apple\u2019s custom silicon is going to cause some serious excitement, given the performance feats Apple has already managed with the M1 itself (there is, of course, still always the possibility that Apple will stick with the M1). If that\u2019s the case, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) might still come with a bit more power \u2013 specifically, an even more impressive 10-core Apple Silicon CPU with eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficiency cores. While this particular rumor maintains that it will offer up to 64GB RAM, a more recent leak is saying that memory will be capped at 32GB. There are also rumors circulating that the new Apple M1X integrated graphics will be powerful enough to compete with the latest Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 mobile graphics cards, potentially available in either 16-core and 32-core integrated options. Not only would this be an incredible win for folk in demanding creative fields, but this also opens up the possibility of using a new MacBook Pro as a gaming laptop, adding another competitor alongside Nvidia, AMD and Intel. Another possibility aired on the MacBook Pro grapevine is that the new 16-inch model will carry mobile variants of AMD\u2019s incoming RX 6700 series graphics cards, which are rumored to arrive in March. That certainly seems plausible.<\/p>\n