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Yesterday, Apple sent out invites to a special ‘experience’ on 4th March.
Rather than holding it at the spaceship campus in Cupertino, Apple has chosen to stage simultaneous press events in London, New York, and Shanghai. There is, of course, already endless speculation about what this means and what products might be launched, but the truth is that none of us will know until the day.
And, yes, I’m going to the London one.
It’s fun to ponder, though, isn’t it?
I think there are five possibilities, and a strong chance that this could be one of Apple’s most exciting Spring launch events for quite a while.
Disclaimer: everything you’re about to read is based on rumour, my own wishes, and those of my audience. I know as much as anyone else outside of Apple when it comes to what we’ll actually see on 5th March.
This blog post is just a ponder. And you’re welcome to offer your own in the comments section.
Possibility 1: A brand-new, entry-level MacBook
There has been talk on the Apple rumour mill about a new entrant to the MacBook lineup for quite some time.
Some people believe Apple has been working on an entry-level laptop that would sit below the M4 MacBook Air. The idea is that it could potentially ditch the M-series chips for an A-series chip (something like the A19 Pro that currently resides within the top-end iPhones). This would enable Apple to bring the price point down and crack that magic £600-or-so laptop barrier.
Check out my full M5 MacBook Pro review!
The display could be smaller, too. Picture an 11- or 12-inch MacBook, a range of spunky colours, and education pricing which is as no-brainerish as Creator Studio.
I would love to see this. However, I think the chances of it actually happening hang in the balance. Would such a laptop cannibalise sales of the MacBook Air? Do we really need anything that delivers more value than you already get from a MacBook Air?
Imagine a Cosmic Orange MacBook, though.
Possibility 2: iPhone 17e
The iPhone 16e came out in February 2025 – nearly a year ago. Apple hasn’t historically updated its entry-level iPhones annually, but lots of rumours suggest we’re going to see an iPhone 17e at the March event.
Some say it’ll have an A19 chip and gain MagSafe support (the absence of which on the iPhone 16e caused a fair amount of grumbling within Reddit threads). I think both are strong possibilities, but I also think that, if we are going to see an iPhone 17e next month, it won’t look that different to the phone we already have.
More: iPhone 17 Pro Max review
That’s fine. A mild spec bump and a silencing of the critics with the inclusion of MagSafe is all that the e-series iPhone needs. I switched to the 16e for a huge chunk of 2025 and really enjoyed my time with it. It’s the most iPhone iPhone ever, and for a lot of people, it’s enough.
Possibility 3: New M5 Macs
There’s a very good chance we’ll be treated to a bunch of new Macs in March.
The big question is: which Macs will Apple decide to put new M5 chips into?
The entry-level M5 MacBook Pro launched last October and is the only MacBook Pro most people should buy unless they have very specific requirements for more power. It’s that good.
However, we’re due for those more powerful versions. So, I’d expect to see MacBook Pros enter the market in March, complete with M5 Pro and M5 Max configuration options. And they will be stupidly capable, of course. Whether or not we’ll see an M5 MacBook Air is open to debate, but the M4 version is so good (I’ve already crowned it Apple’s best-ever laptop), I’m not sure a spec bump for that device would steal the headlines.
The Mac Studio might get some love. It was last updated in March last year with M4 Max and M4 Ultra chips – and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. Does Apple’s desktop powerhouse need more power? Not really. But you might as well chuck an M5 in there, eh?
Let’s not forget the Mac mini, either! Apple’s most impressive product ever (no, really) arrived at the end of 2024 in the form of the redesigned M4 Mac mini. The performance you can extract from that diminutive chassis, for what is the cheapest entry point into macOS, remains bonkers. It unlocks so many doors for so many people. And it’s probably due an M5 chip, too.
Possibility 4: New iPads
We may get new iPads at the March Apple event. But it’s unlikely to be the highlight of the day, if it happens.
The iPad Air will possibly be bumped up to an M4 chip, and the entry-level iPad might enter its 12th generation with a new chip (most likely the A18) and support for Apple Intelligence.
These are two very important iPads, and if you’re holding out for them, you at least won’t have to wait too long before making a decision.
Possibility 5: One more…things?
I – like I’m sure several of you – am quietly hoping for something extra at the March Apple event. Don’t get me wrong – there’s an awful lot for a tech reviewer to dig his teeth into above, but there are a couple of things I’d love to see next month.
There have been a few rumours circling about a potential update to the Studio Display this year. The original – and only version – came out nearly four years ago and remains the most beautiful and visually impressive monitor in my studio. The prospect of a new version with a Mini-LED panel and 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate is beyond tantalising.
Then, we have the constantly rumoured smart home hub that Apple has apparently been working on. We’re desperate for a better smart assistant experience at home. Every one we’ve tried, from Amazon Alexa to Siri, has been troublesome. Our needs are pretty simple, too – we just want a device that responds immediately to voice commands and which can play back music, set egg timers, and confirm if <insert celebrity name here> is still alive. Like most people. Apple has such an exciting opportunity to solve that space.
Final thought (for now)
I must reiterate: I do not know what’s coming from Apple in March. I will, however, be reporting directly from London on 5th March once the announcements land (unless there are any extended embargoes, of course, in which case you’ll have to wait, I’m afraid).
I’m excited. It feels like Apple has a lot to show us.
