Apple is currently getting ready for its first major event of the year.
The company just sent out press invitation emails for a virtual event titled "Peek Performance." Note that based on the naming choice, many fans speculate that Apple will launch 5G upgrades on selected devices.
Fans interested in the event can join the livestream on Tuesday, March 8, at 1 p.m. ET. Sources suggest the iPhone SE, iPad Air, and a redesigned MacBook Air will be mentioned in the event.
Twitter user DylanMcD8 posted a helpful infographic on what is expected to launch in the event.
iPhone SE 2022: 5G Specs and Features
Sources from The Verge are convinced that a new third-generation iPhone SE will be featured in "Peek Performance." This unit will succeed the 2020 model as a budget-friendly iPhone option on the market. Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also gave extra details about the incoming device. The analyst said the smartphone would be equipped with the latest A15 bionic chip, 5G with millimeter-wave, and expandable storage variants up to 128 GB or 256 GB. Note that this iPhone might still retain the standard color options of white, black, and red.
Other New Apple Devices Coming
Aside from the highly anticipated smartphone, Bloomberg speculates there will be three other major products launching.
First is a new iPad Air which will be upgraded to optional 5G support, A15 chip, and Center Stage camera feature. Be warned that this unit might still retain the same design as its 2020 variant.
The second is a new Mac with Apple Silicon, which is rumored to outperform some of the available Macs on the market. Note that this lineup might include a new Mac mini, a 13-inch MacBook Pro, or an iMac variant.
Last is a rumored "wild card," which sources speculate refer to a next-generation monitor like an iMac Pro. However, it is unclear whether this device will offer a bigger or smaller screen.
Apple Devices That Will Not Be Included
Unfortunately for fans, not all the exciting Apple devices will be announced during the extremely short event. So sources from Macworld list out five Apple devices that do not fit the event theme:
- AirPods Pro - although there are many rumors about this device, it is expected to debut later in fall.
- AirTag 2 - since the original AirTag was a success, sources speculate that an upgraded version might be coming. Unfortunately, sources did not elaborate on the release date.
- Mac Pro - a redesigned and revamped version of Mac Pro is expected to debut later this year. It should be emphasized that similar to its predecessors, this device might only debut on Apple WWDC.
- Standalone monitor - at this point, a 27-inch Apple monitor with a mini-LED screen and ProMotion features is still wishful thinking. The official launch might happen no earlier than Apple WWDC.
- HomePod with Display - this device is still heavily rumored, so there is no reliable evidence about its release schedule.
Related Article: Apple Event Will Take Place on March 8: Expect the Launch of New iPhone SE, Upgraded iPad Air, M2 Chip, and More