Apple's March event: Every Mac and iPad expected - and the biggest rumor you can ignore

Source: ZDNet

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Apple has confirmed a March 4 event.
• Multiple Macs and iPad models are expected.
• Rumors also point to a possible iPhone 17e.

Apple just sent out invitations to an event scheduled for March 4 at 9 am in New York. The invitations went out to members of the media and featured a layered‑glass Apple logo front and center, its three‑dimensional shape reminiscent of both older Mac branding and Apple’s Liquid Retina display on iOS.

What to expect

Rumors about what Apple plans to announce this spring have been swirling for months, and if past years are any indication, you can expect a new iPad and MacBook, all the way up to an iPhone 17e.

New MacBook, Air, and Pro

According to the rumor mill, Apple is working on a new budget‑friendly MacBook, a new MacBook Air with M5, and MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max.

Also: MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air: We tested both models, and here’s which one to buy in 2026

New 12th‑gen iPad and iPad Air

On the iPad side, Apple is rumored to release an A18 base‑model iPad (the 12th‑generation iPad) and an iPad Air with M4.

Also: I tested every iPad model that Apple currently sells – here’s my advice for Pro users in 2026

Putting the A18 Bionic chip on the base‑model iPad would finally bring Apple Intelligence to Apple’s entry‑level tablet, expanding AI features to a broader audience, especially those looking for the most affordable iPad.

New iPhone 17e

Apple is also poised to release the iPhone 17e, which may feature the Dynamic Island. Rumors have narrowed its release date to early 2026.

Also: I broke my 5‑year iPhone upgrade rule with the latest model – here’s why I’m not regretting it

The iPhone 17e is expected to feature a binned version of the A19 chip, an upgraded 18 MP front camera, MagSafe support, and 256 GB of storage, starting at $599.

What’s unlikely?

The biggest MacBook rumor— a touchscreen MacBook— is unlikely to materialize during the March 4 announcement. While a touchscreen demo could be a compelling reason for an in‑person event, a touchscreen MacBook is not expected until at least late 2026, if at all.