Neil Hughes
In addition to new iPads, Apple is also expected to unveil a high-capacity 128-gigabyte iPhone SE — as well as a potential (Product)Red iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus — at a media event in March, a new report claims.
Citing an unnamed source, Macotakara reported on Monday that the minor changes to the iPhone lineup are expected to take place at an iPad Pro-focused event in March.
In addition, the report also indicated that Apple could launch new, seasonal bands for the Apple Watch.
The event is expected to be headlined by three new iPads, most notably a 10.5-inch model that could be the new flagship design. It's believed that the 2017 "iPad Pro 2" will come in sizes of 12.9 and 10.5 inches.
Apple is also expected to offer a more budget-priced 9.7-inch iPad, which could replace the iPad Air 2 at the low end of the company's tablet lineup.
Monday's report suggested that Apple could also introduce a 7.9-inch iPad Pro, but that would contradict earlier rumors suggesting the iPad mini is not due for a refresh. The company's smallest tablet has not been updated since late 2015.
Macotakara has reported on a red colorway option for the iPhone before, but previously suggested Apple could hang on to that until the launch of an "iPhone 7s" later this year. Adding a new color mid product cycle could be a way for Apple to juice sales of the iPhone 7 months before the anticipated refresh.
As for a 128-gigabyte iPhone SE, that would be something of a surprise, since earlier reports claimed Apple would not refresh its diminutive handset this year. A capacity bump would suggest that Apple will stick with the same components, including an A9 processor and the lack of a 3D Touch display, as the iPhone SE that debuted in 2016.
Currently, the iPhone SE maxes out with 64 gigabytes of capacity, priced at $449.
A March event would also be a potential opportunity for Apple to update its 12-inch MacBook with Retina display. That would be consistent with the last two models, which debuted in April of the last two years.
With Apple putting the finishing touches on its forthcoming "spaceship" Campus 2, it's possible that a March media event could be the first-ever hosted at its new corporate headquarters. The company will also hold an event in June, its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, in nearby San Jose, Calif., where it is expected to introduce iOS 11, macOS 10.13, watchOS 4, and tvOS 11.
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Wesley Hilliard
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79 Comments
Shame, I was waiting for the next SE update for a better processor. Guess I'll have to stick with my 6s a little longer.
Definitely excited about the new iPad Pro 2, been waiting for that one as well!
Will be interesting to see if the mini is actually not updated. That is definitely my favorite iPad for reading and gaming. It's just the right size for gaming imo. If they aren't updating it and keeping up with the other iPads, it hurts gaming performance. I guess we'll wait and see.
I use the 12" iPad Pro as my daily mobile content creation device. It used to be that to get any serious work done I had to be in my studio with my farm of 12-core MacPros. But now I can do about 80% of my design work on the iPad Pro before exporting it to my desktop workstations.
I hope Apple knows how important the 12" device is to a certain segment of the pro community. It worries me a little that Apple would want to make the smaller device the flagship. The 12" form factor is ideal because it's the same size as a piece of letter sized paper. In fact a legal paper sized device would be welcome.
Regardless, I'm happy to hear about the update. I'm hoping Apple surprises us and ships it with an A11 and more RAM. The A9 in the iPad Pro is quite strong, and compares nicely with a mobile i3 or i5. But I could use a little more horsepower. I haven't kept up with the A series rumors. But power is key.
Also, I really hope Apple comes up with a unibody-like titanium keyboard attachment, that would turn essentially turn the tablet into an iOS laptop. There are already some cool keyboard/battery devices available that do this now, but none are quite Apple-like.
The iPad Pro had changed my entire workflow for the better and not only does Apple need to be aggressive with its design, but also its promotion. The iPad Pro can do anything a Surface can do but Apple isn't telling anyone about it because they don't want to hurt MacBook sales, which I think is foolish.
Seriously doubt there will be a 128 SE. They include more storage in the premium models, not the starter models.
I think March is too early for event at HQ