Apple has sent invitations for in-person events in Novel York, London, and Shanghai on March 4th at 9 a.m. ET, signaling a potentially significant hardware update cycle is imminent. The events, described as a “special experience” by Apple, come as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports the company is preparing a busy early 2026 for product launches.
Among the anticipated announcements is a new, more affordable iPhone, dubbed the iPhone 17e. Gurman reports the device will replace last year’s iPhone 16e, maintaining the $599 price point although incorporating the A19 chip and MagSafe compatibility. However, Macworld suggests the A19 chip in the 17e may be a “binned” version, potentially featuring fewer GPU cores than the flagship iPhone 17 models, alongside 8GB of RAM and possible storage upgrades.
Apple is also expected to refresh its iPad lineup. The entry-level iPad is reportedly set to receive the A18 chip, enabling Apple Intelligence features on the company’s most affordable tablet. Design changes are not expected for this model. The iPad Air is slated for a more substantial upgrade, receiving the M4 chip, which will narrow the performance gap between the Air and Pro models, continuing Apple’s strategy of standardizing its silicon across its product lines.
Updates to the MacBook Pro line are also on the horizon, with 14-inch and 16-inch models expected to feature M5-class chips. Gurman notes that current MacBook Pro models are experiencing tightened supply, a common indicator that new versions are nearing release.
Perhaps the most intriguing potential launch is a new, lower-cost MacBook, priced under $1,000. This model will reportedly be powered by an iPhone-class chip, rather than Apple’s M-series processors, and will feature an aluminum chassis—a departure from the plastic construction often found in more affordable laptops. According to Gurman, a new manufacturing process is enabling the use of aluminum while keeping production costs down. The display is expected to be slightly under 13 inches, and Apple is reportedly considering color options geared towards students and enterprise customers.
Mark Gurman, a tech reporter for Bloomberg, has a long track record of accurately reporting on Apple’s product plans, with his reports closely watched by industry observers. He began his career writing for 9to5Mac while in high school and joined Bloomberg News in 2016 after graduating from the University of Michigan School of Information. Gurman’s reporting on Apple dates back to 2012, and he was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2015.
While not all of these products are guaranteed to appear at the March 4th event, the launch would represent Apple’s most hardware-focused early-year event in recent years.
