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Just as in 2020, Apple has a busy schedule of virtual events lined up for 2021, at which it will reveal the latest products and services for fans of Macs, iPads, iPhones and more. These will continue to take the form of pre-recorded video presentations rather than live keynotes in front of a large audience.

The first of Apple's announcements will take place at an event in late March or early April. In this article we outline what you'll see at Apple's spring 2021 event.

When is the Apple spring event?

It looks like early April. If I had to bet I'd put my money on 6 April 2021, but that's based on past behaviour rather than any kind of insider source.

Apple usually holds its spring events in March, but occasionally holds then in April. Given the state of the calendar (Apple usually sends out invites around a week before the event), and following delays to some events in 2020, we're almost certainly looking at a date in early April 2021.

If you want to get a bit more specific, the main pundit making predictions in this area is Jon Prosser, a YouTube presenter and tech leaker who has had some big scoops in the past. But when it comes to the spring event Prosser has been having what can only be described as a mare.

Way back in October 2020, he predicted an Apple event would happen on 16 March 2021, and see the launch of the AirPods Studio. Cue the launch of the AirPods Max in December 2020, and a certain amount of egg on face.

Then, in a series of tweets on 8 March, he predicted the event would actually happen a week later than originally predicted: 23 March. These were followed by a video the next day in which Prosser said he was 100% sure about this date, and went so far as to promise he would shave his eyebrows on camera if he was wrong.

Unfortunately that prediction too had to be withdrawn, when (after first posting a fake invite) Prosser conceded on 17 March that the spring event would actually happen in April. He has said he will honour the eyebrow-shaving promise.

Spring event product announcements

Back in October 2020 Prosser predicted that the AirPods Studio would be the star of the spring show. Which we now know was an error on two counts.

Prosser has tweeted more recently that the AirTags, along with updated versions of the iPad Pro, AirPods and Apple TV, are likely to be unveiled at the event.

Those predictions are in line with our own expectations.

When Apple has held a spring event the company has tended to reveal new iPads and various software and services-based products.

In 2020 we saw the arrival of the second-generation iPhone SE, although it's worth noting that this was via a press release rather than a dedicated event (due to the pandemic).

Back in 2019 Apple hosted an event on 25 March, where it showcased Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and Apple News+ services.

The previous year brought an update to the entry-level 9.7in iPad, which itself had been introduced two years previously in another March event that also saw the arrival of the original iPhone SE.

With all this in mind, here's the latest rumours and thoughts about what might appear if Apple hosts an event in spring 2021.

iPad Pro 2021

This spring could see the arrival of a new iPad Pro, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and sources in the supply chain. All of the rumours seem to suggest Apple updating its premium tablet range in the first quarter of 2021, which would fit with a March event.

To see what the new device might look like, read our guide to the iPad Pro 2021.

iPad mini

There's a chance that March could be iPad month for Apple, with further rumours suggesting we might see an update to the diminutive mini. However, there is also an indication that the iPad mini might have been delayed until the autumn.

The big rumour is that the iPad mini 6 could get a bigger screen, leaving behind the 7.9in design that's been the same since it was first introduced nearly a decade ago.

Sceptics will point to the fact that Apple usually announces iPad mini updates in autumn, but since the company left four years between the iPad mini 4 and iPad mini 5 (the latter of which was launched in March 2019), we think it safe to assume that the former pattern isn't set in stone.

10.5in iPad

Rounding off the iPad range is the entry-level model that has traditionally been unveiled at the March events. Many think that Apple could be about to move the current 10.2in iPad into the frame of the recently discontinued iPad Air 3, which would mean and increase in screen-size to 10.5in.

For more details on what could be in store for the cheapest tablet in Apple's catalogue, read our roundup of the news and rumours around the 10.5in iPad 2021.

New iMac design

There have been argument building for a while about why the iMac needs a new design. Well, it looks like 2021 might be the year when Apple finally addresses the ageing chassis of its all-in-one desktop Mac.

The main aesthetic updates are thought to see the reduction of the large bezels that surround the display, the latter of which will increase from 21.5in to 23in or 24in.

Of course, the headline feature is sure to be the switch to the Apple M1 processor which arrived on the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini in 2020. We may even see a superior M1X processor.

With Apple keen to move all its Macs on to the new platform, it seems possible that this could see it appear in spring rather than the more traditional autumn time slot.

For a deeper dive into all you can look forward to when Apple updates the device, read our new iMac 2021 news hub.

Apple TV

It's been over three years since Apple last updated its set-top box, and that seems far too long when you consider that the company launched its new Apple TV+ subscription service in March 2019.

There were plenty of stories circulating that Apple would refresh its streaming device in 2020, but nothing appeared. With that in mind, we think there's a good chance that we may see a new Apple TV device arrive in spring 2021.

AirTag

There are also suggestions that Apple will launch its heavily rumoured AirTags tracker.

Perhaps the biggest indication that this is indeed coming is the fact that new features coming to the Find My app in iOS 14.5 seem to relate to a tag that could be attached to non-Apple devices.

AirPods

Prosser was wrong about the AirPods Max - but he may not have been wrong about Apple launching new AirPods at the March event. There are various new AirPods rumoured including the AirPods 3, which are said to be based on the AirPods Pro design, and also AirPods Pro Lite earbuds (which may actually be the same thing).

Further reading

If you'd like to know more about Apple's upcoming announcements, read When is the next Apple event? And for specific information about the most important events this year, take a look at our iPhone SE 3 and iPhone 13 news hubs.