Apple’s March 4 Launch Event: What to Expect
Apple is set to hold a “special Apple experience” for press on Wednesday, March 4, simultaneously in New York, London, and Shanghai. Unlike traditional Apple events, this rollout is expected to unfold over several days, with potential hardware launches via press release on Monday, March 2, Tuesday, March 3, and the event itself on Wednesday, March 4 [9to5Mac]. Here’s a breakdown of what’s anticipated.
Format: A Multi-Day Launch
Apple is deviating from its usual event format. Instead of a single keynote or livestream, the company is planning a series of announcements leading up to the March 4 press event. Press invites were sent without non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), suggesting a more open approach to information sharing [9to5Mac]. This will likely involve shorter videos accompanying each product announcement, rather than a comprehensive “event video” [9to5Mac].
Expected New Products
A significant number of new products are rumored to be launching soon, spanning Macs, iPads, and even a new iPhone [9to5Mac]. Here’s a closer look at the potential hardware:
iPhone 17e
Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone 17e, positioned as a successor to last year’s iPhone 16e, maintaining a price point of $599. It is expected to feature the A19 chip and MagSafe compatibility [Mashable]. Yet, the A19 chip may be a “binned” version with slightly fewer GPU cores than the flagship iPhone 17, alongside 8GB of RAM and potentially upgraded storage [Mashable].
Entry-Level iPad (12th Generation)
The base iPad is reportedly getting an upgrade to the A18 chip, enabling Apple Intelligence features on its most affordable tablet. Design changes are not expected [Mashable].
iPad Air (8th Generation)
The iPad Air is anticipated to receive the M4 chip, narrowing the performance gap between the Air and Pro models and continuing Apple’s standardization of its silicon lineup [Mashable].
MacBook Pro (M5)
Updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M5-class chips are also expected. Tightened supply of current models suggests that refreshes are imminent [Mashable].
Location and Timing
The “special Apple experience” will accept place in New York City, London, and Shanghai on Wednesday, March 4th at 9 AM ET [The Verge]. This is a departure from Apple’s typical event location at Apple Park [The Verge].
The event coincides with Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, running from March 2nd to March 5th [The Verge].