2020 is certainly shaping up to be a year like no other (well, it bears some resemblance to 1918 if you are comparing pandemics) but Apple's new product cycle doesn't seem to be slowing down. Already this year we've seen Apple launch a new iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, the iPhone SE (2020), Apple Watch 6, Apple Watch SE, a MacBook Air with improved keyboard, a new 13in MacBook Pro (also with the improved keyboard), as well as update the processors for the 27in iMac. The company has also doubled the storage in the Mac mini, boosted the build-to-order graphics card option for the 16in MacBook Pro, and a few other tweaks here and there.

In June the company held its Worldwide Developer Conference at which it announced its plans for the next set of operating systems: iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS 11 Big Sur and so on. iOS 14 will be out on 18 September.

It also made the shocking, but expected, announcement that it will be transitioning away from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon over the next couple of years.

Apple says that the first Macs powered by Apple Silicon will be available to buy by the end of 2020. But that doesn't mean all Mac updates are on hold. On the contrary, Apple CEO Tim Cook said there will be "exciting" Intel-powered Mac updates still to come - and, right on cue, we saw an Intel update to the 27in iMac in August. The iMac processor update is a good one, but the advent of the Silicon Mac does make us wonder if now is really a good time to buy an Intel Mac.

There's plenty of non-Mac products in the pipeline though. We should also see an iPhone with 5G capabilities, a new HomePod, an updated Apple TV and new AirPods.

Plus, you can expect the surprise return of AirPower - the wireless-charging device that was missing presumed dead - and the arrival of the mysterious AirTags that have been popping up in software for a while now.

If that's enough to whet your appetite read on for all the details including when you can expect to see them.

In this article we take a look at what we can expect from Apple in 2020. We've investigated every rumour and trend we could find to bring you our predictions. Read on to find out what could be in store. You can expect Apple to hold online events to launch some of these new products - we don't anticipate the company inviting anyone to attend keynotes in person for the foreseeable future. If you are interested in when the next launch event will be you can find out when is the next Apple event here.

iPhone 12

As for the new phones, Apple expected to introduce 5G-capable iPhones this autumn. Normally Apple's big iPhone announcement happens in September, but this year is a bit different (you may have noticed) and Apple's postponed things a little. But we should only have to wait another month for news of the new iPhone 12. Sources suggest that it will launch in the week of the 12 October.

We have lots of information about Apple's plans for an 5G iPhone, and a roundup of all the iPhone 12 rumours.

When? October 2020

AirPods

Apple is said to be working on various headphones including the AirPods X (said to be for sport), AirPods Pro Lite (cheaper version of the AirPods Pro), and some over-the-ear headphones (which we've been calling StudioPods).

We've been hearing about these new headphones for so long that surely Apple will launch them soon... Maybe alongside the new iPhones in October?

Read all the news about the StudioPods here and the latest on the AirPods Pro Lite here.

When? October 2020



Apple TV

On 1 November 2019 Apple launched its new TV+ service via which it is now delivering a collection of exclusive TV shows - and some free shows - with more to come. With this focus on television, it seems likely that the Apple TV set-top-box will see a revamp soon. We may even see a cheaper Apple TV launch, which could help Apple get its content out to the masses. We could also see an 8K version - although that may not arrive in 2020.

Although as more and more TV manufacturers add support for AirPlay 2 to their sets, maybe there will be no need for the Apple TV set-top box in the future.

Read about the 2020 Apple TV here.

When? September or October 2020



HomePod 2

There's one more *Pod hopefully coming our way. We expect Apple to update the HomePod - although it's not really clear what the company could do to improve the speaker, other than make it cheaper.

There are rumours that Apple could launch a smaller, cheaper HomePod in a bid to better compete with Amazon and Google. A cheaper device would certainly help it sell a few more of the Siri-powered speakers.

Alternatively, a Siri-powered Beats speaker could make an appearance (but we think that's unlikely).

Or Apple could give up on the HomePod and push Apple Music on to competitor smart speakers - Apple Music is already compatible with the Amazon Echo, for example. Read: How to get Apple Music on Amazon Echo. However, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has a dedicated team working to save the HomePod from its poor sales, so hopefully there will be good news soon.

Here's everything we know about HomePod 2.

When? September or October 2020

AirTag

A bit of a wildcard this one but there is plenty of evidence suggesting it's true: Apple is gearing up to launch a Tag object tracker that will help you track of important items and show you where to find them via the Find My app.

Read all about the AirTag tracker here.

When? September or October 2020

AirPower

If you thought that Apple had given up on its dream of making one device that could wirelessly charge an iPhone and AirPods at the same time we'll forgive you because Apple's said as much. But it turns out that the project may not have been completely abandoned. Apple is said to be gearing up to launch the AirPower after all. We'd expect this to launch at the same time as the iPhone, so an October launch looks probable.

Read the latest on the AirPower here.

When? October 2020

Mac with Apple Silicon processor

It's long been rumoured that Apple wants to stop relying on Intel's processors, bringing processor development in house and now we know it to be the case: read about Apple's move to Silicon here.

Apple's said that the first of these new Silicon Macs will launch in 2020. It looks like the first Silicon Macs will be the 13in MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air and we could see them in October.

Read more about this Mac with Apple processor project here. You can also read about how Apple Silicon compares to Intel.

When? October 2020

16in MacBook Pro

As for the 16in MacBook Pro - an update to that model, which launched in November 2019 - is anticipated for later in the year.

Here's what we know about the 2020 16in MacBook Pro.

When? Late 2020

14in MacBook Pro

This is likely to be somethign for 2021, but there are reports suggesting that we might see a 14in MacBook Pro thanks to thinner bezels around the screen.

Read about the new 14in MacBook Pro here.

When? Early 2021

Redesigned iMac

The 27in iMac was updated in August, but the 21.5in model only saw a minor tweek (no more hard drives and Fusion drives). We believe that there is more in store, but we might have to wait until 2021 to see it.

There are reports suggesting that Apple could make some big changes to the design of the iMac that could result in a 23in model (to replace the 21.5in iMac). This would be achieved by reducing the bezels.

Hopefully we'll also see a similar change for the 27in iMac - we'd love to see a 30in model.

We also hope to see some other cosmetic changes to the design - including better ergonomics. Read about why the iMac needs a redesign here.

Read about the new iMac redesign here.

When? Early 2021



AR Glasses

Apple's made clear its interest in augmented reality, and we may hear more about Apple's plans to make Apple AR Glasses in 2021!

While the rumours suggest we won't see Apple's AR product until 2021 or 2022, it's possible that Apple may share its plans with developers at some point in 2020 in an attempt to get them to design apps for the new device, so we might hear something sooner.

When? 2021

Apple Car

The Apple Car was the hot rumour of 2016, but it's since emerged that Apple has scaled back its ambitions on this front but something is definitely happening in the motoring field. The company is said to have had up to 1,000 developers working on the so-called Project Titan, and to have set up various different front companies, including Faraday Futures and Sixty Eight Research.

Industry chatter suggests 2020 is a possible date for a launch - which sounds crazy to us. But, if this is correct, it might be worth holding back on upgrading to your existing run-around until then.

When? Depends... Is it really a car or just software?