What we're expecting at Apple's March event: iPhone 17e, MacBook M5, new iPads, and more
Apple's spring event will bring AI to the base iPad and launch a new $599 iPhone model.
Apple has officially set the stage for its spring product launch with an event scheduled for March 4 in New York. The invitation's layered-glass logo hints at displays and advanced design, setting expectations for significant hardware updates centered on new silicon and broader AI integration.
On the Mac front, the rumor mill points to a substantial refresh. Apple is expected to unveil new MacBook Air models powered by the next-generation M5 chip, alongside MacBook Pro variants equipped with the more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max processors. A new budget-friendly MacBook is also anticipated. For iPads, the spotlight is on the 12th-generation base model, which is rumored to jump to the A18 Bionic chip. This move is critical as it would finally bring Apple Intelligence—the company's suite of on-device AI features—to its most affordable tablet, democratizing access to these capabilities.
Perhaps the most surprising potential reveal is the iPhone 17e, a new budget-oriented model. Expected to start at $599, it may feature a binned version of the A19 chip, an 18MP front camera, MagSafe, and 256GB of storage, potentially bringing design elements like the Dynamic Island to a lower price point. Notably, one major rumor is expected to be absent: a touchscreen MacBook is not anticipated until late 2026 at the earliest. This event represents Apple's 2026 strategy of iterating on its silicon roadmap and expanding the reach of its AI ecosystem across more device tiers.
- New MacBook Air and Pro models with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips are expected to be announced.
- The 12th-gen iPad may get the A18 chip, enabling Apple Intelligence on the base model for the first time.
- The rumored iPhone 17e could start at $599 with an A19 chip, 18MP camera, and 256GB storage.
Why It Matters
This refresh expands AI feature access to budget devices and advances Apple's silicon leadership, impacting consumer choice and ecosystem integration.