They're really going out of the way to avoid an M1X nomenclature. And I suppose this design isn't yet incrementation worthy, for an M2.
They're using the same processor cores, but scaling them up by adding more. They usually add an X or up the number when there's a change to the cores themselves or a major addition in some subcomponent (like the "bionic" stuff, or changing the GPU shader units).
It would've looked really bad if they introduced an M2 half a year after releasing a M1 chip. They would've deprcated the chip that is being used in their existing products.
I expect them to release an M2 chip earliest in the fall of this year or early 2023.
Sure, but many at least expected a tick type M1X. Though maybe that's what M1 Max was, they just didn't name it that.
Back to the drawing board for Intel.
Rumor is Intel bought TSMC's 3nm capacity. I suspect they've drawn up something pretty spectacular.