Apple has set the date for its next product launch event, with the iPhone maker preparing to unveil several new devices at a global showcase on March 4.
Media gatherings will take place simultaneously in New York, Shanghai, and London, and are being billed as in-person experiences. This marks a shift from the company’s post-COVID format, when events were typically streamed online from its headquarters in Cupertino, California.
While Apple has not confirmed any specific updates, rumors published on 9to5mac point to new MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones, though some announcements may be held back for a second event later in the second half of 2026.
What’s coming in the spring event?
One likely reveal is an entry-level MacBook, reportedly priced at $599 and designed to compete more directly with Google’s Chromebooks. The device is expected to feature a lower-resolution LCD display, run on Apple’s A18 Pro processor rather than an M-series chip, and come with reduced base RAM and storage.
The company may also introduce an entry-level iPhone, the 17e, at the same $599 price point. It is tipped to include the A19 processor found in the iPhone 17, along with MagSafe support. This looks to be Apple’s new budget tier for its iPhone line.
In addition, Apple is expected to refresh the iPad Mini at a higher price, possibly $100 to $150 above the current $499. The new model could feature an OLED display and water resistance, which would be a first for an iPad. An updated iPad Air may also appear, though without OLED or water-resistance upgrades.
What’s being held back until the fall?
Apple’s spring events typically focus on lower-tier launches and incremental updates. Its flagship iPhone launch is almost always reserved for the autumn, alongside other major hardware announcements.
The 2026 iPhone is not expected to introduce significant design changes, with Apple reportedly focusing its efforts on a 20th-anniversary model in 2027. Early leaks suggest an all-glass, button-free design, potentially with the selfie camera embedded beneath the display. However, the device is said to remain in early development, with supply chain reports pointing to an extremely complex build.
This year, a touchscreen MacBook Pro could be the surprise of the autumn event. It would mark Apple’s first move into touchscreen laptops, a category the company has long resisted, with Steve Jobs once describing such devices as “ergonomically terrible” in 2010.
The updated MacBook Pro may also feature an OLED display and the Dynamic Island interface seen on recent iPhones. It could additionally offer 4G or 5G connectivity, powered by Apple’s in-house cellular chip. These models, alongside the new iPhones announced at the same event, are expected to debut the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, built on a 2nm manufacturing process.
Read about how Apple Podcasts is adding native video playback and dynamic ad tools that could reshape creator monetization and compete with YouTube and Spotify.
