It's possible that Apple will release iOS 15.4 next month as well.
According to Bloomberg, Apple will hold its next hardware presentation on or around March 8th. The third-generation iPhone SE, a revamp of the 2020 iPad Air, and a new Mac machine with an Apple Silicon processor are expected to be announced at the event. The date corresponds to the March to April launch window that Bloomberg's Mark Gurman earlier said Apple had set for the SE, but he cautioned that production delays could force the company to rethink its plans.
The new phone will reportedly include a 5G modem, which will be a first for the SE series. It'll also have a speedier processor and a better camera, according to rumors. It will, however, keep the current model's iPhone 8-era appearance. The new iPad Air, meanwhile, will get a processor upgrade as well as 5G connectivity. Bloomberg didn't mention much about the new Mac that Apple is expected to debut at the same event, but most recent rumors point to a 27-inch iMac Pro model.
If the prospect of a new iPhone SE isn't enough to pique your interest, Bloomberg believes that Apple will release iOS 15.4 in the first half of March. The update is rumored to include a feature that allows you to unlock your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask, among other improvements.
Apple hosts three to four events every year on average. There's normally a spring event in March, the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, an iPhone and Apple Watch event in September, and perhaps an October event if iPads or Macs are expected in the fall.
The event is expected to focus on the new 5G iPhone SE and a new iPad Air, according to rumors. A Mac mini is rumored to be on the way, possibly alongside the new iPhone and iPad.
iPhone SE
Apple is reported to be working on a new iPhone SE with 5G connectivity and a faster processor, with a release date set for the first half of 2022. The iPhone SE will have the same design as the current iPhone 8, which is based on the iPhone 8. It will keep the Touch ID home button and thick bezels, and the key selling point will be 5G. It's estimated to cost around the same as the current iPhone SE.
iPad Air
Apple is working on a fifth-generation iPad Air that will be similar to the iPad mini's sixth iteration. It'll have an A15 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity for cellular models, and a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage compatibility, according to reports. It will have a single-lens rear camera, a 10.9-inch LCD display, a USB-C connection, a Touch ID power button, and a variety of colour options, similar to the existing iPad Air. It could happen in the first half of the year, perhaps at a springtime gathering.
Mini Mac
Apple is working on a high-end Mac mini that will include additional ports and a more powerful Apple silicon chip. It will feature a 10-core CPU with eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, as well as 16-core or 32-core GPU options, as well as an enhanced version of the M1 processor. Up to 64GB of RAM and four Thunderbolt connections will be supported by the Apple silicon chip. The new Mac mini models are rumored to feature M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs, just as the impending 27-inch iMac.
