Apple has planned an event called the 'Apple Experience' for March 4 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, taking place in New York City, London, and Shanghai.
As Apple's initial product unveiling of 2026 approaches, speculation abounds based on insights from industry analyses and expert predictions, though details remain unconfirmed.
Reports point to the introduction of a more affordable option to replace the MacBook Air, a concept first mentioned by Bloomberg in November, featuring the A18 Pro processor from iPhones to reduce costs.
This budget model may come with just 8GB of RAM, diverging from Apple's current policy of starting at 16GB across Mac lines, a move that would support affordability amid rising demands from AI applications.
According to TechRadar, the release could mark Apple's most significant laptop debut in recent times, with projections of 8 million units in early distribution and pricing between $699 and $799.
A launch of enhanced MacBook Pro versions appears probable this year, aligning with the March 4 schedule as noted by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
While the base MacBook Pro with M5 chip is already available, versions using M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are anticipated soon, potentially in multiple screen configurations.
Sources indicate redesigns for the advanced M5 variants to enhance thermal management and lower failure rates, incorporating a chiplet architecture that boosts CPU and GPU core counts, with the M5 Max surpassing the Pro in cores.
Delays in orders for the current M4 Max MacBook Pro suggest preparation for successors, a common pattern before new models arrive, especially since Pro and Max updates often occur in autumn, making spring timely.
Expectations include refreshed iPads, such as the 12th-generation standard model upgrading from the A16 to A18 chip to enable Apple Intelligence features.
The iPad Air is rumored to shift from M3 to M4 processor, a development that would extend this advanced chip beyond the latest iPad Pro models.
With the iPhone 16e revealed nearly a year prior, an update to the iPhone 17e seems due, and recent indications suggest a reveal at this event for the economical handset.
Details from Mark Gurman point to an A19 chip and possible MagSafe compatibility, representing a step-wise improvement while holding the line at $599.
Other potential updates, though less certain, involve a refreshed Studio Display and Mac Studio desktop, with timelines placing them in the year's first half, fitting March appropriately.
An M5-powered MacBook Air refresh is also in discussion, but sources deem it improbable for this occasion, noting the M4 version's debut in March of the previous year.
Software advancements like the Siri overhaul are unlikely here, given the hardware focus, with major updates probably reserved for the Worldwide Developers Conference in summer. Coverage of Apple's announcements will come from Engadget.