What to expect from Apple’s rumored March event

It’s March, and it’s time for Apple’s first event of the year.

Or is it? It’s true that Apple typically has an event in the spring, most often in March, but it’s far from being a rule set in stone. In 2020 and 2017, for example, there was no spring event; the company’s first major event in those years was the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

Still, this time we have a number of reports from all sides that Apple does, indeed, plan to launch new devices soon, most likely on March 8 — though the conflict in Ukraine might prompt the company to postpone that date or even cancel the event altogether.

As is typical, Apple is absolutely silent about its plans, so until we get actual invites, there’s no telling when (or if) the event will go through. What we can do, however, is sift through all the reports and the rumors, and see which gadgets we can expect from Apple if the event does happen.

New affordable iPhone

The most likely gadget to come out of the rumored March event is a new version of Apple’s most affordable iPhone, the iPhone SE. It would be the third version of the device; the original launched in 2016, and the second one was released in 2020. Reports say the iPhone SE’s design won’t change, though it will get a new, faster processor, 5G connectivity, 3GB of RAM, and an updated camera.

If the rumors are true, the new iPhone SE will retain Apple’s good ol’ Touch ID home button, as well as the thick bezels on top and bottom, without the notch that’s characteristic of Apple’s other iPhone models. The pricing will probably stay the same as it is for the current iPhone SE model, which means it should start at $399.

iPad Air

Here, the reports get murkier. Most Apple analysts agree that Apple is working on a new iPad Air, and it’s fairly likely that it launches alongside the iPhone SE in March. It should get a new chip (likely Apple’s A15 Bionic), 5G connectivity, and a new, 12-megapixel front camera, though the design should stay similar to the current 10.9-inch model.

A new iPad Air is likely to have a similar design to its predecessor.
Credit: Apple

However, regulatory filings recently unearthed in Russia indicated that Apple is working on as many as nine new iPad models. It sounds a lot for a spring event, but it’s possible that Apple will also launch a new iPad Pro alongside the iPhone SE and the iPad Air.

Macs and more

Finally, there are numerous reports about Apple working on new Macs, including a new, updated Mac mini, with a more powerful chip and support for up to 64GB of memory. We could also see a revamped 13-inch MacBook Pro with an updated Apple M2 chip that retains the same design as the current model. There’s even talk about a new iMac coming, also featuring one of Apple’s newer chips.

Finally, a recent Bloomberg report said we should see some new Apple software in March — namely, the new iOS 15.4, which brings Face ID support for users wearing masks, new emoji, and Universal Control, a feature that lets you control multiple Apple devices from a single keyboard.