Looking Ahead to the Future of Apple Design
MacBooks and the Apple Watch join the new design revolution at Apple.
Last year I spoke about the future of Apple design and where they’re heading, now with recent reports on the new MacBook Pro’s and Apple Watch Series 7, we can finally see the whole picture starting to form.
Mac
The recently announced 2020 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini with Apple Silicon (M1 Chip)are now known but they aren’t going to be around for long.
Those new Macs are using an old chassis design during a tough year for all in 2020 and Apple are holding back the new designs for later this year.
These current M1 Macs are very dated in design and a new 2021 redesign is already rumoured by many leakers, the iMac will finally get an overhaul with an iPad Pro/Pro XDR display design for starters.
Reports say the MacBook Pro series this Autumn will gain larger displays and smaller bezels, removal of touch bars, the return of MagSafe and new flat design similar to the current iPad and iPhone designs with one high end model even getting a Mini LED display.
I would assume these will run the M1X or M2 chips but its too early to tell just yet.
The MacBook Air will also get a spec bump and flat design overhaul sometime late 2021 or early 2022 and with it being the most popular model right now I expect it’ll be an even bigger seller for Apple.
Personally, I’m very happy about all this but it does seem a bit “too good to be true” but we really do need a new design for the dated MacBook Pro and I need an upgrade this year so I’m just going to tell myself it’s happening until they actually announce them.
Apple Watch Series 7
The next edition of the Apple Watch is series 7 due this September, it’s been 3 years since the Series 4 was released with a new design and larger screen so the next new design is due this year if we follow previous timelines.
The rumours say the next watch will feature the same flat edged design seen on the iPhone 12, iPad Pro, iPad Air and soon to be on the iMac and MacBooks.
This will give Apple a complete unified look across all products, but aside from that we shouldn’t expect larger displays again but a new blood glucose sensor is rumoured and that would truly be incredible for diabetics.
I feel like it’s too soon for mini LED displays for the watch but maybe they’ll come with Series 8 in 2022.
iPhone 12S
The iPhone 12S as its reported to be called will also be released this September, it will have the same design as the current iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models but with 2 physical changes and a display upgrade.
The camera module on the rear will match the current iPad Pro design with a flat piece of sapphire glass covering all lens as seen below.
The new design once again comes from the iPad Pro line, this is a habit now at Apple after the 2018 models lead the way for the iPhone 12 designs.
The camera module will have a metal frame around it to hold the glass which may feature a tinted look as seen in the concept below.
The only other major design feature change for the 12S is the removal of the charging port on the 12S Pro models, long rumoured to be the final goal for Apple to go port-less.
Expect the MagSafe to be improved upon with maybe some kind of smart connection feature for carplay and higher wireless charging speeds.
We can also expect 120hz display at least on the Pro models and improved cameras as usual, with this being an “S” year we shouldn't expect any other major features but I have a feeling we’ll get ‘Always on Display’ with iOS 15.
Finally, I think this is a great industrial design change for Apple and I’ve loved the iPhone 12 and iPad Pro designs which take hints from the legendary iPhone 4 design.
Making everything unified in design will make them stand out as an Apple product which we know they love doing.
Some might miss the curved edges but personally, I think it’s time for a change.
