Apple reportedly preparing low-cost iPhone, iPad for March launch
Apple could launch new products as soon as March 8, according to a report from Bloomberg.
The report says that Apple is preparing to announce a new low-cost 5G iPhone and iPad at the event and potentially a new Mac.
The launch would be Apple's first since October 2021, when it revealed new MacBook Pro laptops. It's expected to be a virtual livestream launch, according to Bloomberg. Apple has held virtual events since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Apple currently offers a low-cost iPhone called the iPhone SE, which was introduced in the spring of 2020, and retails for $399. It's the most recent iPhone model with Apple's Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The updated model could have the same design but a faster processor and 5G support, according to the report.
The new iPad is expected to be an updated version of the iPad Air, according to the report. That device was last updated in October 2020 and currently retails for $599.
Apple iPad business was the only major product line to report declining sales during the December quarter. Apple said that slowing sales of a $329 iPad targeted at schools and volume purchasers was the primary reason for the business's decline.
Apple's low-cost device launches are less important to the company than its traditional fall launches, which reveal pricier and more profitable high-end iPhone models ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Apple could time the launch event with the official release of iOS 15.4, the latest version of the iPhone software.
IOS 15.4 is currently in beta testing. It's expected to include several new features, including the ability to use facial recognition to unlock the device while wearing a mask, and new emoji.
An Apple spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
据彭博社报道，苹果最早可能在 3 月 8 日推出新产品。 报道称，苹果正准备在此次活动中发布一款新的低成本 5G iPhone 和 iPad，并可能发布一款新的 Mac。
此次发布将是苹果自 2021 年 10 月发布新款 MacBook Pro 笔记本电脑以来的首次发布。据彭博社报道，预计这将是一次虚拟直播发布。自 2020 年 3 月 Covid-19 大流行开始以来，Apple 一直举办虚拟活动。
苹果目前提供一款名为 iPhone SE 的低成本 iPhone，于 2020 年春季推出，零售价为 399 美元。这是配备 Apple Touch ID 指纹传感器的最新 iPhone 机型。报告称，更新后的型号可能具有相同的设计，但处理器速度更快，支持 5G。
报道称，新款 iPad 有望成为 iPad Air 的升级版。该设备最后一次更新是在 2020 年 10 月，目前零售价为 599 美元。
苹果 iPad 业务是唯一一个在 12 月季度报告销售额下降的主要产品线。苹果表示，面向学校和批量购买者的 329 美元 iPad 销售放缓是该业务下滑的主要原因。
与传统的秋季发布相比，苹果的低成本设备发布对公司来说没有那么重要，后者在假日购物季之前展示了价格更高、利润更高的高端 iPhone 机型。
Apple 可以通过最新版本的 iPhone 软件 iOS 15.4 的正式发布来安排发布会的时间。
IOS 15.4 目前处于 beta 测试阶段。预计它将包括几个新功能，包括在戴口罩时使用面部识别解锁设备的能力，以及新的表情符号。
苹果发言人没有立即回应置评请求。
