On Wednesday, March 2, Apple released an invitation, pictured above, for an upcoming media event on Tuesday, March 8. Like the previous two years, Apple’s “Peek performance” event will be live-streamed-only on their website and via YouTube. The event is expected to showcase brand new iPhone hardware, including upgraded Apple chipsets.
Apple “Peek Performance” Event
When it comes to spring event rumors, the most widely accepted prediction is a new iPhone SE. It is possible to see updated Macs with either M2 or M1 Apple silicon upgrades.
iPhone SE
For the last several years, Apple has taken the spring as a chance to update the iPhone SE model, which is considered their budget-friendly option. Although, a multi-hundred-dollar smartphone is hardly “budget.” But, it is Apple’s least expensive option.
Typically, iPhone SE will see year-old technology, meaning you can expect it to receive a spec bump similar to the iPhone 12 from 2020. It would be shocking to see it come with an iPhone 13 design, meaning it most likely would not receive the new flat edge design launched last fall.
The current iPhone SE design is growing old, as it matches the iPhone 6 design, first released in 2014. However, it is still the only way to get an iPhone with TouchID, which many users were thankful to have when masking was required worldwide, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just maybe, Apple will move this design to a two-camera version, with an OLED panel, and Face ID. Don’t expect it.
Upgraded Macs
As per MacRumors, we may expect several upgraded Macs.
Currently, the 27″ iMac is sitting on old Intel chipsets. It is speculated that the larger desktop could be announced to match the M1 iMac 24″ freshly redesigned model that came to market last spring at a similar event. And/or(?), it is also rumored that an upgraded Mac mini may see light alongside a MacBook Pro 13″ that could get spec bumped to the second generation M2 Apple silicon chip, according to MacRumors. Other new chip upgrades like the M1 Pro or M1 Max have bounced around.
This will be the first time Apple has announced an upgraded generation of its all-new M1 chip that launched last year. Consequently, the naming conventions are highly speculative. But, rest assured, there will most likely be new Macs of some form factor and a new chip to match the new year.
iPad Air
Apple’s mid-tier table, iPad Air, could also see some spec bumps along the way.
Similar to minor bumps of the anticipated iPhone SE, the iPad Air will most likely see internal upgrades. The iPad Air was recently overhauled from a form factor perspective, matching the design language of the iPad Pro, which is not expected to be upgraded this spring. iPad Air would most likely see 5G connectivity added as Apple continues to push that mobile spectrum. It could see a faster chip, but perhaps not a full-fledged M1, and definitely not the M2 or whatever Apple will call its second-gen chipset.
MacRumors believes that Center Stage will probably get added, given the FaceTime camera function found its way to the iPad Pro and entry-level iPad in the last year.
Overall
Don’t expect any major announcements like the rumored Apple car project, Apple’s AR/VR headset, or a new Mac Pro. All of the major announcements are held for the fall timeline unless the AR/VR operating system gets surprise-announced this summer at the Worldwide Developer Conference.
Check out Apple’s newest gadgets on Tuesday, March 8, steaming live on Apple.com or their YouTube channel.
