Update 9 August 2021: According to Digitimes, mass production of the new 14- and 16-inch has started. The new models would get a new design with a mini-LED display. Supply chain sources say that between August and November there are about 600,000 to 800,000 shipments per month.
The new 2021 MacBook Pro is slated to be released this fall, possibly sometime in November. Chances are that Apple will announce the models during a separate Mac event. According to the latest rumors, the release is in any case between September and November 2021.
Original article March 10, 2021
Nikkei Asia also reports that Apple will reduce production of the iPhone 12 in the coming months, but that is not news. In the run-up to a new model in September, Apple always reduces production capacity to make room for the new models. More interesting, though, is the claim that the mass production of two new MacBooks has shifted from May or June to the second half of the year. That could also be July. It talks about MacBooks in general, but it's probably about the MacBook Pro. The two models feature Apple Silicon, probably a second generation that Apple could call M1X or M2. They are successors of the M1 chip that is in the current MacBooks.
Mass-production MacBooks in H2 2021
Ming-Chi Kuo has also looked into this topic and believes the two new MacBook Pro models will feature a brighter display with mini-LED backlighting. They have a new design with flat sides and are equipped with more connections than ever. Kuo expects an HDMI port, an SD card reader, a magnetic MagSafe connector for charging and physical function keys instead of the Touch Bar.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman largely agrees, particularly as far as the SD card reader is concerned. Kuo expects the new MacBooks to arrive in Q3 2021, so you still have some time to think about your purchase.
Revision history:
- 2021 – August 09, 10:55: Article updated after expected start of mass production.