Apple – one of the world’s most valuable public companies – is poised to host its first product launch event of the year on March 8, when it is expected to introduce several keenly-awaited devices.
The company, based in Cupertino, California, is likely to release the next-generation version of one of its cheapest smartphones, the iPhone SE, as well as redesigned tablets and laptops through its virtual "peak performance" event.
Market chatter and Apple enthusiasts believe the performance of new devices has been improved, with better chips and processors. Apple does not confirm upcoming product names ahead of its events.
The event, to be held at the Steve Jobs Theatre on the Apple Park campus in California, will be live streamed on the company’s website because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The iPhone through the ages: Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPhone to the world in San Francisco, California, on January 9, 2007. It had a 3.5-inch screen and 2MP camera. Reuters -
The iPhone 3G was launched in 2008 with a faster 3G connection. It also added location services. Reuters -
The iPhone 3GS was released on June 19, 2009. It was twice as fast as its previous version. AFP -
The iPhone 4 was released on June 24, 2010. It featured FaceTime for the first occasion as well as a retina screen. Reuters -
A later release, this time on October 14, 2011, the iPhone 4S had a new dual-core processor. Reuters -
Apple CEO Tim Cook takes to the stage following the reveal of the iPhone 5 in San Francisco, California, on September 12, 2012. This was the first 4-inch screen and the phone was faster and slimmer. Reuters -
The iPhone 5C arrived on September 20, 2013 and was less expensive and very similar to the iPhone 5 except it came with colourful casing. Getty Images -
The iPhone 5s came at the same time as the 5C and introduced touch ID and a motion data processor as health and fitness apps started to come to the fore. Getty Images -
The iPhone 6 marked another double launch when unveiled on September 9, 2014. The 6 had a 4.7-inch screen, faster processor and improved camera. AFP -
The iPhone 6 Plus had a 5.5-inch screen and was $100 more expensive. Reuters -
The iPhone 6s came on September 25, 2015 with 3D touch and a camera that could shoot 4K video. EPA -
The iPhone 6s Plus is displayed at Tokyo's flagship store on September 25, 2015. Both new phones came in a new colour - rose gold. AFP -
Unveiled on March 21, 2016, the iPhone SE had the same design as the iPhone 5 and saw a return to the 4-inch screen which was preferred by some users. It was more affordable and hence lacked features such as Touch ID. AFP -
The iPhone 7 announced on September 7, 2016, said somewhat controversially goodbye to the audio jack. Reuters -
The iPhone 7 Plus had a dual camera added. AFP -
The iPhone 8 was released on September 22, 2017 and had a new glass and aluminium design, retina HD screen. Reuters -
A customer gets his hands on an iPhone 8 Plus on launch day in Tokyo on September 22, 2017. The launches also saw speakers that were 25% louder and the most powerful and smartest chip in a smartphone (according to Apple). AFP -
The iPhone X marked a decade of iPhones on September 12, 2017. It's main changes were an edge-to-edge super retina screen. Touch ID was removed with Face ID introduced. Reuters -
The iPhone XS was released on September 21, 2018 and had a Super Retina OLED screen with improved scratch and water resistance. Face ID was faster. Reuters -
The iPhone XS Max had the largest iPhone screen to date at 6.5 inches. It could handle 3 million pixels. Reuters -
The iPhone XR was slightly cheaper than the XS and came with a 6.1-inch screen. AFP -
A customer looks at the iPhone 11 at an Apple store in Dubai Mall on September 20, 2019. EPA -
A man tries out the iPhone 11 Pro in Cupertino, California, on September 10, 2019. AFP -
Midnight Green was introduced for the iPhone 11 Pro Max, while there was also a new three-camera system. Reuters -
Arriving on April 15, 2020, the iPhone SE was for budget-minded customers and was pretty much a replica of the iPhone 8. Its 4.7-inch screen felt rather on the small side compared to the big screens of its big brothers. Apple Inc. / AFP -
The iPhone 12 on October 13, 2020 introduced a new processor and a screen that offered four times better protection if dropped. Apple / AFP -
The iPhone 12 mini offered a 5.4-inch screen. Getty Images -
Mr Cook showcases the iPhone 12 Pro during an event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on October 13, 2020. This upgrade saw a faster chip, 5G speed, a "camera system that’s killer in low light. A LiDAR Scanner for more realistic AR. And two great sizes to choose from — including our largest display ever". Apple / EPA -
The iPhone 12 Pro Max was categorised as a 'legacy phone'. Reuters -
The new iPhone 13 was unveiled on September 14, 2021. It has a smart data mode which helps battery life, more 5G bands and antenna lines that use material made from recycled plastic water bottles. AFP -
Apple CEO Tim Cook showcasing the third generation iPhone SE featuring 5G and the A15 Bionic chip on March 8, 2022. EPA -
The Apple iPhone 14, 14 Plus, Pro Max and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro were unveiled during an event on September 7, 2022. It didn’t raise its US prices during one of the worst years for inflation in decades. The biggest addition was emergency calling after a car crash. Bloomberg
In September, Apple launched its new iPhone 13 series, Apple Watch 7 and new iPads.
Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where developers can attend sessions and meet its engineers is likely to be held in June, as it was last year. The event has been a launchpad for software updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.
Here is a rundown on what to expect this Tuesday based on market chatter and leaks.
Next generation iPhone SE
Apple is expected to launch its lowest cost 5G smartphone, the iPhone SE 3, that will come with improved battery life, faster processors and better cameras.
This move could help the company to attract budget-conscious buyers as it tries to wrestle market share from rivals Samsung and Xiaomi.
The new phone will be the third-generation iPhone SE. The first model was launched in 2016 with a starting price of Dh1,466 ($399), but was discontinued in September 2018. The second model was introduced in April 2020 at Dh1,699 ($463) and is one of Appel's biggest-selling products.
The iPhone SE 3 will have the same design as its predecessor, according to industry experts. The current model comes in an iPhone 8 body with iPhone 11 Pro processing power. The company is expected to use its own A15 bionic chips that are currently used in the iPhone 13.
To attract a larger pool of budget-conscious consumers, Apple is expected to keep the price of the new phone at $399, lower than its cheapest 5G smartphone, the iPhone 12 Mini, which starts at $599.
It will be the company's most affordable 5G iPhone, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who closely follows the company. He expects the company to sell 25 million to 30 million units of the iPhone SE 3 this year.
Revamped iPads
Apple is likely to roll out the revamped iPad Air to attract more users. The new device will come with 5G connectivity and a faster chip to boost the overall performance of the device.
To ensure better video calls, the new tablet’s camera will support "centre stage" feature that ensures users are in the right frame even if they are walking or moving around in the room.
Apple is also planning to upgrade the iPad Pro with a new design and wireless charging support, according to Bloomberg.
New features and innovative technology are likely to be added to iPads because the tablet is the only product segment that experienced a decline in sales in the last quarter. iPad sales dropped about 14 per cent year on year to a little over $7.2 billion in the holiday quarter that ended on December 25.
New Macs
The market expects Apple to launch a higher-end version of the Mac mini to draw more professional users. It is likely to come with a new design and the company’s own M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that were launched in October and replace the Mac minis that use Intel chips.
The company is also expected to launch a revamped 13-inch MacBook Pro with the new M2 chip.
Unlocking iPhone with face masks on
Apple recently rolled out the fifth beta of its latest operating system iOS 15.4. The final update is likely to arrive on consumer devices on the event day or by mid-March. It will offer many new features, such as a Face ID facial recognition system that works with masks and can recognise unique features around the eye for verification.
Competitors such as Samsung are already offering users the option to use only an iris scan to unlock their devices and bypass masks.
Face ID allows users to unlock the iPhone, log in to supported apps and services and verify purchases on the App Store and other compatible platforms. The technology, using the iPhone's TrueDepth front camera, combines data from the user's eyes and other features.
How to watch the Apple event
The event will start at 10pm UAE time on Tuesday. Viewers can tune in at apple.com
It will also be streamed on YouTube and through the Apple TV application for the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
When can consumers buy the new Apple products?
Industry experts predict that consumers will be able to place orders for new Apple products from Friday, and expect deliveries by the end of this month.
However, they believe many of the company's products may not be announced until the end of this year. In January, Bloomberg reported that Apple may launch "the widest array of new hardware products in its history" later this year. The company usually launches its new iPhones and smartwatches in September every year.
