What to expect at Apple’s Peek Performance event on March 8?

Apple is getting ready for the first event of 2022, which will take place on March 8. Apple has sent out invitations for the event with the theme “Peek Performance”, promising to launch a new low-cost iPhone SE with 5G connectivity.

The iPad Air could also get a worthwhile upgrade, with 5G connectivity and an A15 Bionic chip, similar to last year’s iPad Mini. Another rumor suggests that Apple may introduce the M2 processor chip, along with the MacBook Air with a new design. In addition, new Macs, including the Mac Mini, can get an upgraded version with the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

iPhone SE 3 with 5G

The upcoming third-generation iPhone SE at the March 8 event will succeed the 2020 version as an affordable and accessible iPhone. The first iPhone SE came out in 2016 and has been around for 4 years, which means Apple is accelerating the innovation of the SE series, which could become a new mainstream iPhone.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, iPhone SE 3 will be equipped with the latest A15 Bionic chip, support 5G connectivity, 64/128/256 GB memory options. In particular, iPhone SE 3 will keep the design and color of its predecessor iPhone SE 2.

This may be a big minus point of the iPhone SE 3, when many people expect that Apple will change the design of this low-cost iPhone. To resemble the newer iPhone rather than keep the same design as the iPhone 8, in fact this design has been around since the iPhone 6 launched in 2014.

There are also rumors that the iPhone SE 3 will have a new design, but it seems that the assessment of “co-man” Ming-Chi Kuo will be more accurate. Battery life can also be a concern, as without the size improvement, the iPhone SE 3 supports the addition of 5G connectivity.

Upgraded iPad Air

iPad Air has been redesigned by Apple in 2020, to be more similar to iPad Pro. It has flat edges, thin bezels, support for the Apple Pencil 2, and a USB-C connector. However, the iPad Air is more outdated than the iPad Mini, which has just been upgraded to the A15 Bionic chip and 5G connectivity.

So, it makes sense for Apple to launch a new upgrade of the iPad Air, with an A15 chip and 5G support. Although users will want to have Face ID, it is possible that Apple’s facial recognition feature will not appear on the iPad Air yet.

New design MacBook Air with M2 . processor chip

It is possible that Apple will launch a new MacBook Air with an M2 processor chip at this event. The current design of the MacBook Air has been around since 2018 and a major upgrade with the M1 chip in 2020. Therefore, there is a need for a breath of fresh air for Apple’s MacBook Air product line.

Now that it’s 2022, we’ve already seen MacBook Pros with new designs, better displays, and better cameras. Therefore, the MacBook Air also promises to follow these changes of the MacBook Pro. Maybe even a notch display.

Maximize your Mac with a new processor

A Mac Mini was rumored to launch late last year, but has yet to appear. Currently, the only way for users to experience the M1 Pro and M1 Max processors is to buy the latest MacBook Pro models. A Mac Mini with a new processor is essential.

Besides, the current Mac Mini design has been around since 2010. So it’s time for Apple to change, maybe at least add new color options. Or maybe the Mac Mini will be divided into two regular and Pro versions, equipped with an M2 processor chip.

Current users also only have a choice of iMac with M1 processor and 24-inch screen. If the new iMac with a larger screen and newer processor doesn’t appear at the March 8 event, we can expect it to be released later this year. Also, the Mac Pro doesn’t have an M1 chip option yet, so it’s very likely that Apple will have another surprise on Tuesday.

One More Thing?

Some speculations about the theme name of this Apple event, “Peek Performance” where Peek could refer to a new AR or VR product. Although Apple’s augmented reality glasses are expected to launch in 2023, it is possible that Apple will reveal some information about this new product during the upcoming event.

Apple is also expected to release some software updates. Including iOS 15.4 that can allow iPhone to unlock Face ID when the user is wearing a mask, the new macOS Monterey update, and iPad OS 15.4 that allows using the Universal Control feature, to control with the Mac’s mouse and keyboard.

Reference: theverge