Apple is preparing a special experience in three cities on March 4th

  • Apple is holding a “special Apple Experience” on March 4 in New York, London and Shanghai.
  • A different format from the classic keynote, with no confirmed public streaming and a focus on demonstrations for the press.
  • New MacBooks with A18 Pro and M5 chips are expected, along with a more affordable iPhone 17e and a refresh of the iPad range.
  • The event coincides with the MWC in Barcelona and reinforces Apple's commitment to Europe.

Apple special event on March 4th

Apple has already set a date for its first major product event of the year: a special experience that will be held on March 4. in person and simultaneously in three key cities. The company has begun sending invitations to media outlets worldwide, including European publications that will be present at the London event.

Far from the usual keynote format from Apple Park, the company has decided to opt for a A more private meeting, with no confirmed public streaming.where journalists and content creators can try out the latest features on Mac, iPhone, and iPad firsthand. For Spanish and European users, the reference time will be [time missing in original text]. 15:00 in mainland Spain, an unusual schedule in the company's recent agenda.

A “special Apple Experience” across three continents

In the invitations sent to the press, Apple avoids using the term "keynote" or "traditional event" and defines the event as a “special Apple Experience”This nuance points to a format more intimate and focused on practical demonstrations that in a grand presentation broadcast to the entire planet.

The multinational has organized three parallel meetings in New York, London and Shanghaiwith selected media outlets in each city. In the European case, specialized publications such as Applesfera and other Spanish media will travel to London to cover the day's events from the inside and be able to test the devices in private sessions product.

During the time slot set for the match, it is expected that Apple publishes press releases and official materials on its website. Regarding the new developments, while journalists make their first contact with the teams. Everything indicates that There will be no classic live broadcastAt best, a corporate video focused on the products could be published, but not a traditional keynote address.

The choice of this format fits with the idea of ​​a an experience focused on the hardware and the opportunity to test itThis tends to work better in small spaces and with press groups than in large auditoriums.

Dates, times and nods to Europe

Apple has set the start of the meeting at 9:00 AM in New York, what translates into 15:00 PM in mainland Spain, 14:00 in the United Kingdom y 22:00 PM in ShanghaiIt is a schedule designed to fit, at least partially, with the main news broadcasts in Europe and Asia.

The fact that one of the three locations is in London This reinforces the role of the European market in this round of launches. Spanish media outlets such as Applesfera have confirmed that They will be physically present in the British capital, from where they will offer live coverage with first-hand impressions.

Another striking detail is that the appointment takes place during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in BarcelonaThe world's largest mobile phone trade show, held from March 2nd to 5th, takes place at MWC. Apple doesn't officially participate in MWC, but it does hold its own technology showcase. coinciding with the moment of greatest media noise in the sector, something that doesn't seem accidental.

The invitations also prominently feature the Apple logo design, made up of discs in light green, blue and yellow tonesUsual leak sources suggest that these colors could preview part of the color palette of a new low-cost MacBookAlthough there is no official confirmation yet.

For Spanish users, aside from the lack of streaming, the best way to follow the day's events will be Check Apple's official website and social media channels shortly after the appointed time and lean on the live coverage from specialized media who will be on the ground in London.

Low-cost MacBook with A18 Pro chip: the most eye-catching laptop

Among the most anticipated new features of this “special Apple Experience” is a Affordable MacBook based on an A18 Pro chipThat is, a processor from the same family as those powering high-end iPhones. It would be one of the company's most unique releases in recent years within the portable segment.

According to leaked information, this team would opt for a aluminum chassis very similar to that of the MacBook Airwith a slim and lightweight design, but slightly smaller in size. There is also speculation about a LCD screen of approximately 12,9 inches, a different approach to the mini-LED or OLED screens rumored for higher-end models.

Inside, the heart would be a A18 Pro chip accompanied by 8 GB of memoryA combination designed for everyday tasks, studying, office work, and content consumption, moving away from the purely professional profile of other Macs. This strategy would allow contain the entry price regarding MacBook Air and Pro with Apple Silicon M-series.

Another element that has generated much discussion is the possible finished in vibrant colors such as yellow, light blue or kiwi greenThe color palette matches the tones of the event invitation, which has fueled the idea of ​​a MacBook more geared towards a younger audience and the educational sector, far from the usual somber gray.

Leaks place this model in an international price range that would be around $699 starting pricewhich, when applied to Europe and including taxes, could place it in the region of 700-800 eurosIt would be, in any case, the Apple's most affordable laptop in its current catalogWith this, the company would try to gain market share in a PC market strained by the component crisis and competition from Windows.

MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lineup update with M5

Beyond the economic model, everything points to Apple taking advantage of March 4th to to renew a large part of its laptop line with the new generation of M5 chipsThe first stop would be the MacBook Air, which would receive an internal update while maintaining the current design.

In this case, a jump straight to the M5 processor compared to the previous generation, which should translate into performance and energy efficiency improvements Without major changes in size, weight, or ports. It would be a continuation of the previous design, focused on extending the device's lifespan and improving battery life, something highly valued by mobile students and professionals in Europe.

The professional range is also in the running for the event. There's talk of New MacBook Pro equipped with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chipsThese are geared towards those who need sustained power for video editing, software development, or advanced content creation. In principle, the The external design would remain very similar, focusing primarily on a leap in internal performance.

Some leaks have even mentioned the possibility of models with OLED touch screen and a thinner chassisHowever, most sources place these more radical versions at a later stage of the calendar, presumably looking ahead to the end of the yearFor this spring, the most likely move is an upgrade of the internal components and, at most, Minor adjustments to settings and prices.

Meanwhile, Apple would have on the table higher-performance versions of its M5 SoC for other devices like the Mac mini, Mac Studio, or even new desktops. However, it's not clear that all these releases will be concentrated on the March 4th event, so some of these updates could be delayed. to be distributed in press releases throughout the year.

iPhone 17e: the “affordable iPhone” gains prominence

Along with the Macs, the iPhone 17e He is emerging as one of the major media figures. from the experience of March 4th. This would be the new member of the entry-level iPhone family, designed to offer a more affordable way into the iOS ecosystem without sacrificing some of the latest technologies.

The leaks agree that this model would maintain a 6,1 inch OLED screenbut with a significant visual change: It would abandon the classic notch to adopt the Dynamic Island. which we've already seen in the higher-end models. It would be a significant step towards standardizing the design across the entire family.

Inside, the iPhone 17e would feature the Apple A19 processor, the same chip that would power its older siblings, although predictably with adjustments in frequencies and energy management to differentiate it in performance and thus keep costs down. There is also talk of base configurations of 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, with higher-end options of 256 and 512 GB.

Another notable new feature would be the MagSafe integration on the backThis allows the use of magnetic chargers and a wide range of compatible accessories. This addition would bring the entry-level model closer to the everyday experience of high-end iPhones.

In the photographic section, some sources point to a 48 megapixel main sensor...accompanied by improvements in computational photography leveraging the power of the A19. Beyond the numbers, the idea would be to offer solid on-camera performance without breaking the price barrier that defines this line.

In terms of figures, international prices are being considered starting from $599which in European markets could translate into an entry price of around the 700 eurosDepending on local taxes and adjustments. The goal would be to keep this iPhone as the cheapest entry point to the current catalog without resorting to old models.

New iPads: updated entry-level model and iPad Air

The tablet segment is also expected to play a significant role in what Apple will unveil on March 4th. Analyst predictions include a new entry-level iPad with A18 chip and an update of iPad Air that would switch to the M4 processor.

In the case of the most basic iPad, the move would involve a change almost entirely focused on the processorWhile essentially maintaining the same design, screen size, and overall approach, the introduction of the A18 chip would allow, among other things, bringing Apple Intelligence features to the entry-level rangealigning the device with the company's software roadmap.

The new iPad Air, meanwhile, would replace the current M3 chip with the M4, with a notable performance increase both in raw power and in hardware-accelerated tasks. This upgrade would reinforce its role as mid-range tablet for advanced users that need more processing power than the basic model, but do not require all the features of an iPad Pro.

Beyond the chips, nothing is expected radical changes in design, ports or accessories in this generation. The idea would be to consolidate the range with a clear structure: an entry-level iPad for consumer and educational use, an iPad Air for light productivity and creativity, and Pro models for more demanding professional scenarios.

In Europe, where the iPad has become a common tool in schools, universities, and remote work, this update could Strengthening Apple's presence in educational environmentsespecially if prices remain low and new chips improve the lifespan of devices.

Other possible new features: displays, Siri, and Apple Intelligence

In addition to Mac, iPhone, and iPad, Apple reportedly has other possible announcements on its radar for the March 4th event. One of the most frequently mentioned in recent months is the... Renewal of the Studio Display and Pro Display professional screens, which have not received any significant changes for some time.

There is speculation about New versions with improved panels, increased brightness, and updated connectivity optionsDesigned to complement high-end Macs. Given the in-person experience format, monitors and desktop computers will be displayed in a controlled environment. It fits well with the idea of ​​guided testing sessions for the media.

Another area of ​​interest is software, and more specifically in The evolution of Siri and the integration of Apple IntelligenceVarious reports suggest that during the event, it could be seen a first look at the revamped version of the assistant, supported by a collaboration agreement with Google to integrate capabilities based on its artificial intelligence.

However, there are also voices that suggest that The most advanced features of the new Siri could be delayed by a few weeks.as the company is still fine-tuning technical and privacy aspects. In any case, the leap forward from chips like the A18, A19, and more recent M-series is expected. It opens the door to more sophisticated generative AI experiences. across the entire device ecosystem.

In addition, it is possible that Apple will use the day to announce small product updates such as Apple TV, HomePod mini, or even accessories in new colors. In an "experience" format, it is common that multiple devices are displayed at the same timealthough not all of them have the same media weight.

Given this whole scenario, March 4th is presented as a key day in Apple's roadmap for this yearBetween a more affordable MacBook aimed at increasing sales volume, a major update to the professional laptop lineup, a new entry-level iPhone, and a strengthened iPad family, the company seems poised to reorganize a large part of its catalog in a single move. We'll have to keep an eye on what happens in New York, London, and Shanghai to see which rumors are confirmed and which are left out of this first round of announcements.

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