Apple’s Rumored March Event: When Is It and What to Expect – CNET

Apple’s Rumored March Event: When Is It and What to Expect – CNET

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Rumors say Apple’s next event could be close. 

Óscar Gutiérrez/CNET

Apple’s first event of the year may be just weeks away. We have yet to receive an official invitation, but rumors point to a possible event on March 8. This means we could conceivably get a glimpse of the 5G iPhone SE 3, iPad Air and maybe a Mac computer (or two) in less than fifteen days. (Here’s what the rumors say about a new MacBook Pro, a 2022 Mac Pro and a potential 27-inch iMac.)

As we count down to the rumored event (and keep an eye out for those official invitations), we’re collecting every rumor and report about upcoming Apple events, from possible dates and times to expected products. So, read on for everything we know so far about a spring event and all the Apple products we’re anticipating for 2022. We’ll update this story as new information becomes available.

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When is the next Apple event? Possibly March 8

We could see Apple host its first event of 2022 next month. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman initially predicted Apple’s first event of the year would happen in March or April, eventually narrowing in on a date on or around March 8.

Apple typically hosts three to four events every year, usually including a spring event, a summer developer conference and one or two more events in the fall. The fall events are often held in September and October, and tend to feature new iPhones and Apple Watch upgrades, while the October event typically features new Macs and iPads. We’ll likely see the iPhone 14 this September.

With that history in mind, Gurman’s March 8 prediction is highly plausible. However, it’s also possible that whatever products or announcements the company has ready this spring will be announced without the hoopla of a live event, in which case we’re looking at June for Apple’s annual WWDC, where we expect to see iOS 16.

Products we expect: iPhone SE 3, new iPads, Macs and more

Each year Apple unveils a collection of hardware (and software) upgrades, and 2022 is expected to be no different. Although the next Apple event is predicted to be in March, many of these products may not arrive until later this year. In fact, Bloomberg reported in January that Apple may show off “the widest array of new hardware products in its history” in the fall.

Here’s everything we’re expecting (or hoping) to get from Apple in 2022. 

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We expect Apple to announce a slew of new devices and products in 2022. 

CNET

iPhone SE 3

Apple showed off its revamped iPhone SE in the spring of 2020, but last year the petite iPhone was a no-show. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts Apple could be working on two iPhone SE models, one for 2022 and the other for 2023. The 2022 model may arrive in March with 3GB of memory, while the 2023 model is said to sport 4GB of memory and a bigger display, according to the analyst. The phone is said to feature an LCD display, 5G support, a retro design and Face ID, as well. 

If you can’t wait until later this year for the new iPhone SE, check out CNET’s review of the 2020 iPhone SE. Plus, does it still make sense to buy an iPhone SE in 2022

Apple iPhone SE, shown above, could be getting an update soon. 

GIF by Ashley Jolicoeur/CNET

New iPad Pro, iPad Air and entry-level iPad

Apple is planning to update the iPad Pro with a new design and wireless charging support, according to Gurman. He speculates Apple could upgrade the iPad Air and entry-level iPad in 2022, as well. The iPad Air could even arrive as early as March 8, alongside the iPhone SE 3.

Faster Mini Mac 

In 2020, Apple unveiled its Mac Mini with the M1 chip. But now that the tech giant has taken the wraps off its M1 Pro and M1 Max processors, when will we see a faster Mac Mini? Gurman speculates that a new, more powerful Mac Mini models could be coming in the near future. Versions with Apple’s M1 Pro and rumored M2 chips are said to debut as soon as March 8, or later in May or June

Midrange Apple display

Apple may also be working on a more affordable version of its Pro Display XDR that was originally released in 2019 for just under $5,000 (not including the $1,000 stand). Bloomberg reported in January that a cheaper Apple monitor was in “early development.” 

Updated 27-inch iMac, MacBook Air and Mac Pro

Apple previously announced a new iMac powered by the M1 processor, but it was only the smaller 24-inch model. Bloomberg has reported that Apple is working on processor updates for the 27-inch iMac. 

The Mac Pro and MacBook Air could also be due for an upgrade. The 2020 MacBook Air was the first to sport Apple’s M1 chip. Now, it’s rumored the MacBook Air could get a redesign and the new rumored M2 chip this year. 

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Apple showed off 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, shown above, last year. 

Dan Ackerman/CNET

iPhone 14

Apple released its iPhone 13 lineup last September, and the smartphone’s successor, the iPhone 14, is likely to make an appearance in the fall. The iPhone 14 is rumored to finally ditch the notched display, and could house under-display Touch ID. (Here are all the iPhone 14 rumors we’ve heard so far.)

Apple Watch Series 8

Apple has announced a new version of its popular Apple Watch every year since the launch of the original in 2014. Gurman predicts Apple could unwrap three new Apple watch models in 2022 with a new Apple Watch SE, an updated standard version, possibly called the Apple Watch Series 8, and a more durable model for extreme sports athletes (and people who want to look like extreme sports athletes). 

AirPods Pro 2

Apple could also be working on an updated version of the AirPods Pro. The first iteration of the higher-end earbuds debuted in 2019, and Kuo predicts the AirPods Pro 2 will launch in the fourth quarter of 2022 with a new design and chip. 

New devices: Apple AR/VR headset and more

We may see some other brand-new devices from Apple, if not this year then some time in the future. This includes a possible Apple competitor to the Amazon Echo Show that would fuse an entry-level iPad with a speaker, a soundbar equipped with built-in Apple TV similar to Roku’s soundbar, an Apple augmented or virtual reality headset, Apple Glasses and an Apple Car

If you’re looking for more about the latest Apple-related rumors, check out CNET’s roundups for the iPhone 14, iPhone SE 3, Apple Watch 8, Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, iMac and upcoming iPads. Plus, will we get a foldable iPhone

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