Apple's March 4 Event: iPhone 17e, Budget MacBook and More

Apple March 4 2026 event glass logo with iPhone MacBook and iPad

Apple Announces Surprise March 4 Event

Apple has officially announced its first major event of 2026, scheduled for March 4. Dubbed the "Special Apple Experience," the event will be held simultaneously in New York, London, and Shanghai — a rare multi-city format that signals Apple has big things to unveil.

The invite sent to select media features a stunning three-dimensional Apple logo with layers of glass in an ombré design, transitioning from yellow to blue. These colors are widely believed to match the rumored color options for Apple's most anticipated new product category in years.

Budget MacBook: Apple's Biggest Hardware Surprise

The star of the show is expected to be a brand-new budget MacBook — a completely new product category for Apple. Codenamed J700, this entry-level laptop could sit below the popular MacBook Air in Apple's lineup and is aimed squarely at students and first-time Mac buyers.

Here's what we know about the budget MacBook so far:

  • Chipset: Apple A18 Pro (the same silicon that powered the iPhone 16 Pro)
  • Display: Approximately 12.9-inch screen
  • Price: Under $1,000 (approximately ₹54,000 in India)
  • Colors: Fun, vibrant options paying homage to the iconic iMac G3
  • Design: Thin and lightweight, though unlikely to feature a plastic chassis

If Apple nails the price point, this could be the most significant laptop launch since the original M1 MacBook Air in 2020.

iPhone 17e: The New Budget iPhone

Apple is also expected to unveil the iPhone 17e, the successor to the iPhone 16e. The new budget iPhone is rumored to pack some notable upgrades:

  • Processor: Apple A19 chip (same as the base iPhone 17)
  • Charging: MagSafe support (a first for the budget iPhone line)
  • Design: Thinner bezels with Dynamic Island
  • Camera: Single rear camera setup

While the iPhone 17e may not feature a radical redesign compared to its predecessor, the addition of MagSafe and the A19 chip makes it a compelling upgrade for budget-conscious buyers.

iPad Air M4 and MacBook Pro Updates

Beyond the headline products, Apple is also expected to announce:

  • iPad Air with M4 chip — bringing pro-level performance to the mid-range iPad
  • Base iPad with A18 chip — a solid refresh for the entry-level tablet
  • MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips — the long-awaited upgrade to 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models

Apple announced the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip last fall, but the M5 Pro and M5 Max variants were notably absent. March 4 could finally fill that gap.

The Bottom Line

Apple's March 4 event is shaping up to be one of the most product-packed launches in recent memory. The budget MacBook alone represents Apple's first new laptop product category in years, and at under $1,000, it could open up the Mac ecosystem to millions of new users. Combined with the iPhone 17e, iPad Air M4, and M5 Pro MacBook Pros, this is an event no tech enthusiast should miss.

The event is scheduled for March 4 at 9 AM ET. Apple has yet to confirm whether it will be livestreamed, but given the multi-city format, a live broadcast on Apple's website and YouTube channel seems likely.