Apple rumoured to launch over half a dozen new devices before first 2026 launch event

Earlier this week, Apple confirmed initial details about its first launch event of 2026. Cited as a 'Special Apple Experience' on Monday, the event is still not showing on either Apple's newsroom or its main website. However, various sources like Mark Gurman insist that the event will take place at 14:00 UTC on March 4 in New York.

At the time, over half a dozen new devices were rumoured including the Studio Display 2, new iPads and updated versions of the MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 (curr. $2,379 on Amazon). Now, both Gurman and John Gruber of Daring Fireball have indicated that Apple's upcoming event will be neither as expansive nor as bombastic as previously anticipated.

Instead, the pair expect that Apple will announce new products via press releases between March 2 and March 4. Then, the Special Apple Experience will serve as an opportunity for selected media to go hands-on with these new devices before they begin shipping. Currently, both believe that the iPhone 17e will be first up on March 2 to replace the iPhone 16e.

Apparently, iPad and MacBook releases will split across separate days too, with Gruber asserting that new iPads could arrive on March 3. Incidentally, Weibo leaker Instant Digital adds that the colour scheme of Apple's teaser represents the colours in which its 'affordable' MacBook will be available. Thus, the first Apple A series MacBook may debut in yellow, green and blue finishes to distinguish it from the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.