The rumored MacBook Pro 2021 and MacBook Pro 2021 16-inch display resolutions have been spotted in the latest macOS Monterey beta.
According to MacRumors, the seventh beta version of MacOS Monterey, which was released to the public earlier this week, includes two display resolution entries in the System Information app.
The display resolutions ("3456 x 2234 Retina" and "3024 x 1964 Retina") do not match existing Mac devices, suggesting that these entries may be for the MacBook Pro 2021 model.
The next-generation MacBook Pro 16-inch is expected to maintain the display size, but may have an increased resolution due to the rumored use of mini LED panels. The MacBook Pro 14-inch is also said to replace the current 13-inch MacBook Pro M1, so these resolutions will be new for Mac devices.
For reference, the latest MacBook Pro 16-inch display has a native resolution of 3072 x 1920 and a pixel density of 226 per inch, while the smaller 13-inch model has a native display resolution of 2560 x 1600 and a pixel density of 227 per inch.
This means that if these two new entries are indeed for the rumored 14-inch and next-generation 16-inch MacBook Pro, the pixel density could increase by about 250 PPI (pixels per inch), improving image clarity.
For any display, you generally want to look for one with a higher PPI. Simply put, the higher the pixel density, the more pixels per inch on the display, and therefore the sharper the image on the screen. This also means that details and text will be sharper.
Earlier this year, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple may ditch the Liquid Retina Display in favor of mini-LED panels. Such an upgrade would bring significant improvements in brightness and contrast levels as well as color.
But a better display is not the only potential upgrade that the MacBook Pro is rumored to get: the MacBook Pro 2021 model is expected to feature the so-called M1X chip. This could be the successor to the Apple M1 chip found in other Apple devices such as the iPad Pro 2021 and the MacBook Air M1.
As for the design, Kuo also hinted that "the new model will cancel the curved design of the top and bottom parts of the existing model and adopt a flat-edge form factor design similar to the iPhone 12." The analyst added that Apple may also remove the Touch Bar and add MagSafe support. According to Kuo, the next MacBook Pro may also bring back the long-awaited SD card reader and HDMI port.
And while Apple's September event is already over, that doesn't mean a new MacBook won't be announced this fall. We recently found reports that Apple may be gearing up for more events. In addition, reliable Apple informant Mark Gurman also claims that the MacBook Pro could appear "in the coming weeks."
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