Apple's first livestream event of the year is scheduled on Mar. 8 at 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. The tech giant's event called "Peek Performance" is rumored to reveal the 3rd gen iPhone SE with 5G.
The new iPad Air is also expected to be revealed during the event, and it may get a new spec update, with upgrades to 5G and an A15 Bionic processor. This is similar to 2021's iPad Mini.
Apple Peek Performance Overview
Aside from the iPhone SE and new iPad Air, it is also suggested that an Apple Silicon M2 upgrade together with a redesigned MacBook Air might be on the way.
According to The Verge, new Macs, including a Mac Mini with an M1 Pro/M1 Max processor update, could also appear at the event.
The new iMac and Mac Pro hardware are rumored to be in the works, but those devices may be revealed in late 2022. Whatever the case may be, fans can expect to see at least one of the new Macs during the event.
iPhone SE 3 with 5G
The upcoming 3rd generation iPhone SE is expected to succeed the previous model and replace it as the new budget-friendly iPhone option, according to MacRumors.
The first-ever iPhone SE came out in 2016, and it remained in the market for four years, which means the SE line is set for a faster change of pace.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst, and leaker, the iPhone SE 3 will include a 5G millimeter wave, the latest A15 Bionic chip, 64GB base storage with 128GB and 256GB options, and retain the colors and design of the current iPhone SE model.
The iPhone SE that was released in 2020 offered very good value with the then-latest chipset, but the battery life was underwhelming.
Now that the US carriers only want smartphones equipped with 5G, the battery life in a new iPhone SE would be a challenge, especially if the form factor is the same. The current iPhone SE body models the iPhone 8, but the aging design language dates back to 2014 with the iPhone 6.
It is possible that the iPhone SE could get the form of the iPhone 13 Mini. Because of the reports of less than expected sales of the iPhone Mini, it is expected that the iPhone 13 Mini may be the last compact mainline phone of the tech giant.
However, just as the iPhone SE from 2016 used the design of the iPhone 5s, and the 2020 iPhone SE copied the smaller iPhone 8 design, the iPhone SE might be the new home for the Mini, according to Engadget.
As for the price, there is no news about it yet. However, fans can expect a starting price of $399 for the iPhone SE. 5Gs are still expensive, so a starting storage option of 64GB makes sense if the price remains intact. The Touch ID would also keep the cost of the phone down if the design remains.
For the iPad Air, the latest version will get the latest A15 Bionic processor and with a 5G option, and even though FaceID would be included, there are no other changes.
Related Article: iPhone SE Name Explained: Here's What The 'SE' Stands For, According To Apple's Phil Schiller
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Written by Sophie Webster
