Apple has officially announced its upcoming spring event (via @tim) scheduled for March 21st in Cupertino at Apple’s 1 Infinite Loop campus at 10 am PT/1 pm ET. The company is expected to introduce the 4-inch iPhone SE, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, new Apple Watch bands, software updates, and more. As for what’s in store for this event, this is what’s rumored and what we expect to see:
Apple has historically saved new iPhone launches for the fall starting with the iPhone 4s in 2011, but we’re expecting that to change at this year’s spring event.
The iPhone SE is expected to be a 4-inch model in a lineup of flagship 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhones. As a smaller device that won’t exactly be flagship status, the iPhone SE will likely feature a mix of specs from the iPhone 6 and 6s but packaged in an iPhone 5-sized casing.
As we reported, these features and specifications include the faster A9 chip and M9 chip with always-on Siri and Live Photos feature introduced in the iPhone 6s, Apple Pay introduced in the iPhone 6, 16/64GB models, and space gray/silver/gold/rose gold finishes.
We’ve also reported schematics via a case maker that show a nearly identical design to iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s for the iPhone SE, save for slightly curved edges. The power button is also expected to be located on top like the iPhone 5 and not on the side like the iPhone 6.
The new 9.7-inch iPad Pro is expected to be a smaller version of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro introduced last fall. Apple typically updates its 9.7-inch tablet annually, but focused instead last year on refreshing the 7.9-inch iPad mini and introducing the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. While rumors have referred to the next mid-size tablet as the iPad Air 3, 9to5Mac has reported that Apple will likely call it the iPad Pro.
Rumored changes include adopting the larger iPad Pro’s quad-speaker design, adding Apple Pencil support, bumping up from the A8X and M8 chips to the A9X and M9 chips, a possible Smart Connector, and maybe even a rear flash for photography which would be a first for any iPad. 9to5Mac has reported that Apple is considering bumped up camera specs for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, too, which adds credibility to the camera flash rumor.
Both of these devices will likely be available within a matter of days, not weeks, after the event.
While the Apple Watch hardware isn’t expected to be upgraded until later this fall, we are expecting to see new Sport band colors, a space black version of the Milanese Loop, and maybe even all-new NATO-style nylon straps that 9to5Mac originally reported as being in development.
Finally, Apple has been testing new feature-packed versions of each of its software platforms — iOS 9.3, OS X 10.11.4, watchOS 2.2, and tvOS 9.2 — which don’t yet have final versions or release dates but are expected to debut for everyone around this event. A standalone update to iTunes that enhances the Apple Music experience is also expected to be unveiled.
9to5Mac will be covering the event in detail on March 21st; as many of you already know, I’m really excited for this one so stay tuned!
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Here’s hoping the Macs get updated.
I can’t wait! Hopefully a Macbook Pro upgrade with USB-C ports
The Sklake chips for MacBook Pro still are. It available. WWDC seems likely time for an updated PRo that uses some of the design cues of the MacBook.
What’s up with the red and orange – look way out of place
The four colours of the new iPhone?
Looks like Gold/Rose Gold to me.
http://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/DSC00143.jpg
Could it be colour of German flag (black, red, and yellow/gold)? Apple Pay for Germany!
Silver, Space Grey, Gold, and Rose gold.
Is it because of the sunsetting feature, all those blue LCDs turning warmer before bedtime? Who knows I guess but IOS/OSX upgrade could be at this one for sure.
If Macbook Pro Retina aren’t upgraded I will be very mad.
Be prepared to be mad. The Skylake chips for them have been priced, but not released yet.
which ones are you referring to?
Intel’s Core i5-6267U chip is suitable for the low-end 13-inch MacBook Pro, while the Core i5-6287U is appropriate for the mid-range 13-inch MacBook Pro and the Core i7-6567U is suited for the high-end 13-inch MacBook Pro. Current generation 13-inch MacBook Pros are powered by Intel’s Core i5-5257U, i5-5287U and i7-5557U chips.
The direct upgrade path for the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro would use the following quad-core chip options: a 2.6 GHz Core i7-6770HQ, a 2.7 GHz Core i7-6870HQ, and a 2.8 GHz Core i7-6970HQ, all coming in at the same price points as the Haswell variants currently used in the MacBook Pro.
likely they’re going to have those 4 metal colours for the iPad now, plus possibly the new iPhone SE if it’s not plastic.
There will be a new 12″ MacBooks for sure. We have a huge sales on them in Czech Republic (more than 25% of the price)
The proce of the Macbook will drop. Yes the new one too. Apple’s first ever version of a brand new product is always priced high, except ipad which also started at 500$ back in 2010. I expect the Macbook’s price to drop 200-250$.
Price*
Maybe a 14″ MacBook. Updates to the MacBook Pro and Air line? Specs upgrades for the iMac and Mac Pro?
The iMac line was just updated late last year with Intel Skylake. I’d be shocked if they received another update so soon. I would love to see the Mac Mini get some love this year.
They are testing ARM chips on the MAc Mini. Maybe we will see ARM supported OSX at WWDC in Jine.
And ARM Mac Mini is the very opposite of what is needed. Unless it runs true OS X.
Ok I’ll go for it… Cook will announce the Apple car and ‘loop you in’ refers to a self driving car bringing you to Apple at 1 Infinite Loop…
Honestly the word loop could just be a reference to the black milanese loop that was leaked and should be released soon
I feel disappointed guessing at easter eggs now with these ever since the “epicenter of change” one turned out to not include the ATV 4.
Is there an events app for AppleTV 4 yet? Do we expect it to magically appear, or do we think it’ll be downloadable from the App Store?
“Loop you in” Wordplay for milanese Loop?
May be for infinite loop
I’d love to see new Macs show up. I’ve been holding off getting a new MBP for awhile now in the hopes that this event would bring some new ones. This MacBook Air screen is looking pretty dated compared to the Retina, 4K & 5K displays out there. Hope we don’t have to wait until June!
Planning to get a new MBP this year, but I expect that I’ll have to wait until fall.
June at WWDC seems likely.
Same here, I was hoping for a watch update. Oh well, waited this long whats another few months right?
Mac Pro needs love…………………………
Agreed, no updates since 2013. We need DDR4 RAM!
I’d love to see the Mac Mini get some love this year.
Hey are testing ARM Mac Mini’s. Hopefully we will see AaRM supported OSX at WWDC.
I really hope it comes with a Macbook Pro in colors and a new iPad Air 3, not an iPad Pro 9.7″.
Does the colour splash in the invitation refer to German flag (black, red, and yellow/gold)? Could it be that Apple will finally announce Apple Pay for Germany?
Eher nicht. Das sind wohl eher die vier erhältlichen Farben der iPhones (Schwarz, Weiss, Gold, Rose).
Fingers crossed that Apple can keep the leaks limited to case supplier guesses (or not!).
I want to see the new phone for the first time in the actual presentation. Not going to read any rumours sites until the event (……..as if!).
I miss being excited before I see the presentation!
This appears to be one of the more difficult invitations to decipher. Sure, I can see the space grey, silver, gold and rose gold colours there, the colours of the iPhone SE (5E?) and iPad Pro (replacing the Air). And “loop you in” – is that for the black Milanese loop we’ve seen pics of? Or could it be more (since it’s been a year since Apple Watch 1)? It won’t be Macs or MacBooks, that will come at WWDC.
“And “loop you in” – is that for the black Milanese loop we’ve seen pics of?”
Or that it’s taking place at One Infinite Loop
I think that it is taking place at One Infinite Loop.
increased continuity?
Well MacBook lineups were updated spring last year, so I hope for that to happen again.
MacBook and MacBook Pro should be updated, and MacBook Air likely will be dropped. It is the only non-retina device, and the MacBook is essentially a better “Air,” and hopefully will come down in price to 599-799 starting
A non-rumored Apple Loop would be cool. Less Apple Watch, more Fitbit. Seems to me they’d sell a ton of them if priced the around the same as a Fitbit. And folks that want an Apple watch would still get an Apple Watch.
Loop…
Milanese Loop
Black Milanese Loop Confirmed
And again we see these awful (imo) colors! I wona nano-chromatic or at least iPhone 5c colors back
Space Grey Milanese Loop watch band. Really?
A subtle shout to Campus 1 Infinite Loop (it’s going to be one of if not the last event on Campus 1 if Campus 2’s Spaceship and theatre is on schedule afaik). And a subtle shout out to advertise possible upcoming things for China where red and gold have significance in Chinese culture.
The first event at the new campus probably won’t be until WWDC 2017 or the 2017 iPhone event. That campus isn’t being populated until early 2017.
Loop is going to be the name of their wireless earbuds/headphones
AirPods actually. Not sure what Loop has to do with wireless EarPods. Also, why would they announce their wireless EarPods at the event that isn’t a part of the iPhone 7 event which lost the headphone jack?
I hope we get to see some updated rMBPs coming up soon. This is pretty much the ONLY case where I’ll be happy to hear that an Apple product was slimmed down (both thickness and weight). I wanted to upgrade mine last year but I’m waiting it out. So, hopefully this year…
I get you. I bought mine last year for a number of reasons.
1. I needed one as the constant fans on the 2011 model with 1tb ssd making it run hot was driving me nuts!
2. I was afraid that they might nerf to new model with a reduction in ports as they took out some good ol’ features in the hunt for thinness (ir for the remote and the cool light on the front that you could not see when off due to the tiny holes, awesome understated product feature!)
The mid 2015 model speced to the max is a great machine to work with.
I am not bothered by a 10-15 % processor bump that skylake will bring.
As I have kept my machines for around 4 years since 1995 my next will be the 2019 model. If laptops exist then!
Let us loop you in referring to further explaining the FBI case and the current state of that, their position, the seriousness of this and what they are doing to continue making their devices even more secure. This will be at the end of the event where Tim will take a more sober and serious turn, to tell millions of people watching, what the most important thing at the event will be, which is that discussion.
Loop–>race track–>Apple Car! That’s a joke. See, I got jokes.
No 4k, no buy.
Nice :)
Man…new iPad, Apple Watch, and iPhone…my bank account can’t keep up!
let us loop you in > let us loop you in our Apple world > (better) security
Last rumors of the iPad Pro 9.7 say nothing about the screen resolution. Hopefully it will be the same as the iPad Pro 13 or even higher…
It resembles the shape of the Apple Watch and even with a watch band (could possibly be the rumored accesories)
Does Apple even care about the Mac anymore? Some of still need laptops and desktops to do our work, including app development.
Let us loop you in… Maybe Apple has decided to buy Tesla’s Hyperloop… Just kidding, don’t flame me. Im looking for to the announcement.