New Apple hardware: iPads, iPhones, and MacBooks in the pipeline – by March
Apple is apparently on the verge of updating various hardware lines. However, software is slowing the company down, according to a report.
An Apple Store in Shanghai (stock image): Something to shop for again soon?
(Image: gob_cu / Shutterstock)
Apple is apparently on the verge of releasing various new products. This was reported by the financial news agency Bloomberg. According to the report, at least three product lines are due for an update, with Apple apparently dependent on when its new operating systems are released. While these have recently reached release candidate status in version 26.3, they could still take until early March.
iPads and new iPhone
Two new iPad models are apparently planned. The standard iPad is set to reach generation 12 and receive the A18 chip from the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro. This would be a significant advantage, as the device would then officially be compatible with Apple Intelligence for the first time; the current iPad 11 with its outdated A16 is not yet allowed to participate. Apple would be updating quite quickly, as the last generation was released in spring 2025. A second new iPad model concerns the iPad Air. Here, the company will likely land with the M4 SoC generation (from the M3, also released in spring 2025). The form factor of both devices is not expected to change – and the range of functions is also said to remain the same.
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The second product line Apple is apparently tackling (very) soon is its entry-level iPhone, designated by the letter “e”: The iPhone 16e is to become the 17e. Bloomberg suggests that the devices will receive the A19 from the iPhone 17, as well as Apple's current Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (N1) and cellular chips (C1X). The devices will get MagSafe for charging for the first time – possibly also a Dynamic Island instead of the current “simple” notch, which currently stems from the iPhone 14. It remains unclear when the devices will be released. There is a report that the iPhone 17e could be ready as early as February 19th, but that would be an extremely unusual Thursday for Apple. In principle, new models are expected in the coming weeks.
MacBook Pro M5 Pro and M5 Max
The MacBook Pro with improved M5 SoCs has also been awaited for a long time. In the fall, the midrange model with M5 and 14 inches was released. The 16-inch variants and the M5 Pro and M5 Max are still missing. According to Bloomberg, these are now expected “in the week of March 2nd.” The reason, as mentioned above, is that macOS 26.3 is apparently not being released until then.
The old variants with M4 Pro and M4 Max, which are still available in stores, currently have delivery delays, which is a typical characteristic of a model change. Mac mini and Mac Studio with M5 chips are still in the plan, and according to Bloomberg, these will come “not much later” than Apple's spring refresh, with April being a possibility. Also in the pipeline is a MacBook Air with M4.
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