Apple will apparently unveil a bunch of new iPads later this month. The event, which is still not yet official, could also see a new iPhone SE model launched as well as a new red version of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
MacRumors reckons the event will happen sometime next week, so between 20-24 of March. No invites have been sent out, however, meaning Apple is either A) leaving it very late or B) isn’t inviting any press and just asking along its celebrity buddies.
The source of the news is cited as reputable supply chain people, meaning those that supply component parts for Apple products. These chaps claim Apple will release a trio of new iPad models that are aimed at firming up the company’s rather disjointed lineup of tablets.
Expect to see a new 10.5in model, a 12.5incher and a 9.7in model. Whether Apple’s iPad Air will make a return remains to be seen. All of the listed models above could well be Pro models. And, to be honest, the Pro model kind of feels like a natural successor to the Air, anyway.
Wild Cards?
There is also a strong belief that Apple will introduce an updated iPhone SE, one with 126GB of storage, alongside a new colour option (red, in case you were wondering) for its current iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus lineup.
Other reports suggest we could see a refreshed iMac and a new variant of the latest MacBook Pro with a new CPU inside it.
The ultimate wildcard, however, is the launch of Apple’s new iPhones – the iPhone 7s and iPhone 8. This would be a huge deal, as Apple doesn’t normally launch these handsets until later on in the year.
Personally, I do not see this latter thing happening. Apple’s a stickler for tradition and I don’t see it messing with something that is working very well – it’s just too risky, as the iPhone is Apple’s biggest cash cow by far.
The iPhone SE refresh makes more sense. But you have to wonder what it will feature? Most believe it will simply ship with higher storage options, though there is the possibility of refinements inside the handset to its memory, imaging and CPU.
As a big fan of the iPhone SE, I hope Apple does more with the new handset than just add in more storage.
