Apple's "Peek Performance" Event Predictions
With Apple's "Peek Performance" event on Tuesday that means it is time that I make my predictions for what we will see.
iPhone SE
Apple has been releasing a new iPhone SE model in the spring since it was first introduced. The first generation was released on March 31st, 2016 and the second generation was released on April 24th, 2020.
One might think that it would be another two years before Apple introduces a new iPhone SE, however I do not think that is the case. I think Apple wants to get as any iPhone 5G capable phones in the hands of people. The iPhone SE is one of only two remaining models that Apple sells, themselves, that are not 5G capable. The other model that is not 5G capable is the iPhone 11.
I guess that the third-generation iPhone SE will have 5G, an A15 chip and will still have Touch ID. I could actually see the home button going away and being replaced with a Touch ID sensor in the power button.
iPad Air
The iPad Air was last updated the iPad Air in September of 2020. I suspect that there will be an update to the iPad Air. I do not suspect the form factor to change, just the internals.
The biggest changes I see with be the addition of 5G and an A15 processor. The last possible change might be in the base amount storage going up from 64GB to 128GB.
Mac mini
I think Apple will also release the higher-end Mac mini. I do not think this will be much of a change from the existing M1 Mac mini, except for the color, Space Gray instead of Silver, and it will have an option for an M1 Pro or M1 Pro Max and additional storage configuration options. The available options would be the same ones that are available on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, meaning up to 64GB of Memory and up to 8TB of storage.
Classical Music app
The last thing that I think Apple might announce is the release of a classical music streaming app. Back in August Apple (https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/08/apple-acquires-classical-music-streaming-service-primephonic/) announced that they acquired the Primephonic streaming service. At the time, Apple stated that the Primephonic app would stop working on September 7th, and quote
"Apple Music plans to launch a dedicated classical music app next year combining Primephonic's classical user interface that fans have grown to love with more added features"
It is possible that Apple will announce a release date for the revamped Primephonic app. I do not think this will be integrated into Music, but will be an entirely separate app.
Prediction Recap
- New iPhone SE with 5G
- New iPhone SE still has Touch ID.
- New iPad Air with A15
- New iPd Air with 5G connectivity
- New Mac mini with M1 Pro and M1 Pro Max
- Announce release of revamped Primephonic app
The "Peek Performance" event will begin streaming from Apple Park at 10a.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, March 8th. You can stream it on the Apple Events page.
As has been the case with previous events, I will post a recap sometime after the event. I will also post the results of my predictions to see how well I did.