Apple’s March 4 Event: What to Expect from New iPhones, MacBooks, and iPads

Apple has announced a special “experience” event on March 4, 2026, with press briefings scheduled in New York, London, and Shanghai. The event is anticipated to unveil a range of updated products, including new MacBooks, iPhones, and iPads, showcasing Apple’s latest advancements in silicon and design.

New MacBooks: A Focus on Performance and Affordability

The most significant announcements are expected to center around the MacBook lineup. Apple is likely to introduce refreshed MacBook Pro models powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, offering substantial improvements in CPU, GPU, and memory bandwidth. These upgrades will cater to professionals engaged in demanding tasks like AI model development and high-resolution video editing. Digital Trends reports that the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is already available, suggesting the imminent release of more powerful models.

Alongside the Pro models, an upgrade to the MacBook Air with the M5 chip is as well anticipated, potentially arriving shortly after the new MacBook Pros. Rumors also point to a potentially more affordable MacBook, priced around $799, featuring Apple’s A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Digital Trends suggests this model could come in vibrant colors like light yellow, light green, blue, pink, and silver.

iPhone 17e: A Budget-Friendly Option

Apple is expected to expand its iPhone lineup with the iPhone 17e, a more affordable option designed to appeal to a wider audience. This follows the release of the iPhone 16E last year, and the 17e is expected to offer performance upgrades at a similar price point. Tom’s Guide highlights this as a key product expected at the event.

iPad Updates: New Processors and Apple Intelligence

The iPad lineup is also slated for updates, with both the standard iPad and iPad Air receiving processor upgrades. The 12th-generation iPads are rumored to feature A18 processors, marking the first time Apple’s tablet lineup will support Apple Intelligence features. Digital Trends indicates the iPad Air may skip the M3 chip and instead receive an M4 processor.

Design and Aesthetics

The invitation for the March 4 event features a three-dimensional shape composed of yellow, green, and blue glass, leading to speculation about new color options for MacBooks. Some theories suggest this is a nod to the retro rainbow Apple logo, hinting at a return to more vibrant designs. Tom’s Guide notes this design element.

What About the iPhone 17 Pro?

While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max were highlighted in previous announcements regarding vapor chamber cooling systems and new colors like Cosmic Orange, Apple, these models are not expected to be the primary focus of the March 4 event. The main iPhone announcement will likely be the more affordable iPhone 17e.

Looking Ahead

Apple’s March 4 event promises a significant refresh of its product lineup, with a particular emphasis on MacBooks and iPads. While more radical redesigns may be reserved for the September unveiling, the event is expected to deliver compelling upgrades and introduce new options for consumers seeking performance, affordability, and the latest Apple technologies.