Posted by On Tuesday, March 8, Apple Inc. will go live with its first Livestream event of 2022, tagged ” Peek Performance”. Over a few weeks now, the company has since sent special press invitation emails out. The anticipated Apple “Peek Performance” event has rumors making the round that Apple is about to introduce a new third-generation iPhone SE with 5G technology.
Aside from the new iPhones, we also expect to launch new iPads featuring faster chips and Macs. With so much build-up of excitement, it’s hard to figure out what to expect for Apple at the event and what is just a rumor by fans. Regardless, the live stream event promises to open the floor for an annual upgrade cycle by the tech giant.
This event will be live from 10 a.m. PT, 1 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. UK, and March 9 at 5 a.m. AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time). You can also stream the Apple “Peek Performance” event live from the company’s website.
Apple “Peek Performance”: What Are We Expecting
Rumors making rounds on social media platforms suggest unveiling up to 5 devices and new casings for several apple products. Every year, the Apple Company brings us a mouthwatering collection of hardware and software upgrades, and we are hoping this year lives up to expectations. That said, here is everything we expect (including rumors and facts) from Apple in this year’s event:
iPhone SE 5G
The 2022 iPhone SE will look very much like the 2020 iPhone SE, as we don’t expect to see much change in its design. The present iPhone SE follows the iPhone 8, with a thick top and base bezels, a Touch ID Home button, and a 4.7-inch LCD screen display. The new device we are expecting is also most likely going to carry on the tradition of being the only iPhone from Apple that offers Touch ID rather than Face ID. Also, it’s most likely to be the only iPhone delivered in 2022 with the older LCD technology, seeing that Apple has changed to OLED.
The new iPhone SE is expected to have a 5G connectivity, which is in high demand by many prospecting users. With this feature, you might expect the new smartphone to retail at a high price, but Apple’s iPhone SE will be the least expensive 5G iPhone, with a rumored price value of $399. The new iPhone SE will also maintain a wireless charging capability. Rumor suggests that there might be a shift away from the MagSafe battery pack, but nothing suggests there will be an improvement in battery duration.
Generally, don’t expect any significant shift in terms of design as it appears that Apple has only implemented internal upgrades. But a strong rumor points at an update for the camera on the new phone, with it most likely coming with an iPhone 13 like wide camera design. Asides from this, you can look forward to a faster chip. It speaks to the likely feature of the A15 chip just as the iPhone 13 for an extreme performance expansion. You can also expect the high storage capacity associated with Apple devices, starting from 64GB, with an option of 128 and 256GB devices.
IPad Air
One noticeable and expected upgrade for the iPad Air will likely include the A15 chip present in the iPhone 13 into it. Its presence will increase the device’s processing speed. But since Apple reduced the A15 chip powers in the iPad mini, it’s unclear if it will do the same for the IPad Air.
But what we do know for a fact is that it is likely to maintain its 2020 design of flat edges, thin bezels, Apple Pencil 2 support, USB-C, and a new Touch ID sleep/wake button. Also, a 5G connectivity feature is expected for the new device alongside a center stage camera design.
Its rear camera will still feature a single-lens setup, with the possible rumored addition of a quad-LED True Tone flash. Again, don’t put your hopes on a pedestal for improved battery life. We like the likelihood of the new device having a similar price to the older version. This puts it at a possible retail price of around $599 for 64GB storage.
Apple AR/VR headset and iOS Updates
There is a possibility of seeing new products from Apple into the tech market. Rumors around this happening have been strong, and some suggest products in direct competition with the Amazon Echo Show. This can see Apple fussing an entry-level iPad with a speaker or a soundbar equipped with a built-in Apple TV to rival Roku’s soundbar. Top of this list, however, is the Apple augmented or virtual reality headset to rival Oculus, or the Apple Glasses, and a likely Apple Car.
The “Peek Performance” event will likely herald the release of some significant software updates. The iOS 15.4 is purported to allow you to use the Face ID-enabled iPhone feature to unlock even if you have a mask on. This will function with iPhone 12 or newer versions. It also introduces new emoji characters while working on the groundwork for Tap to Pay, adds a Siri’s voice, and improves the anti-stalking functionality of AirTags.
There is also the possibility of releasing macOS Moneterey plus the iPad OS 15.4 update. It’s been rumored that this update will allow for the iPad to Mac traversing Universal Control feature.
13-Inch MacBook Pro
A likely device to be unveiled in the first apple Livestream event of the year is the updated version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. While this tends to be a fact, it remains unclear if the new version will upgrade the M2 chip. This is because Apple has already billed several other Macs, such as the MacBook Air, to adopt the M2 chip and wouldn’t launch until around September.
However, if we get a newer 13-inch MacBook Pro, it’s more likely to have similar designs as its older variant. Although there are discrepancies about its Touch Bar, some suggesting its presence while others say it will be absent. What is certain is that the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro will not include a mini-LED display, nor will it support 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates.
Mac Mini
The last time Apple updated its Mac mini device was in 2020, when it included an M1 chip. This time around, we are expecting an upgrade to its higher-end Mac mini version, and rumors suggest we might be getting an inclusion of Apple’s M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. This effective sees an end to Intel chips from the Mac mini lineup.
Although there is no substantial evidence, there are rumors that the Mac mini will feature new designs, with the lead being a smaller casing size. It is also likely to feature a plexiglass-like top with a two-tone color scheme. There is also the possibility of the new device coming in different colors. A move away from the regular space gray or silver, similar to what is obtainable with the 24-inch iMac.
The new Mac Mini will possibly come designed with four Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports, an Ethernet port, and an HDMI port. There is also a chance of a magnetic charging cable like the 24-inch iMac. Again, all of these are speculations, and we won’t know until the event is underway proper.
Conclusion
The Apple “Peek Performance” event will be underway in a few hours. Much of what we know now has been from rumors and alleged leaks, making it hard to authenticate what is true and what isn’t. Regardless, we expect some thrilling and exciting gadgets from apple to whet our appetite this 2022.
