3 Things to Expect From Apple’s Big Event

Get ready, Apple fans. On March 21, the tech company is holding an event on its Cupertino, Calif. campus, where it will presumably unveil some new gadgets and possibly make other announcements too.

There’s no way to know exactly what Apple has planned, but here’s what we’re expecting to see based on the latest rumors and reports. You can watch the event here.

A new, smaller iPhone

Apple is expected to introduce a new iPhone with a 4-inch screen during its keynote next week. The phone, which is expected to be called the iPhone SE, will look almost identical to the iPhone 5s, according to 9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman.

But, unlike Apple’s three-year-old iPhone, the iPhone SE is said to have matte edges rather than glossy ones. Leaked designs for an upcoming phone case also provide some hints as to what this smaller iPhone might look like.

Although it will likely look a lot like the 5s, the iPhone SE will be packed with more powerful internals. The new iPhone will reportedly include the same A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s, support for Apple Pay, improved Wi-Fi and cellular components, and a 12-megapixel camera capable of recording 4K video.

A new iPad

Apple may launch a more compact version of the iPad Pro as well. A refreshed iPad with a 9.7-inch screen and Apple Pencil support is also reported to debut at Apple’s event, according to Gurman. This upcoming tablet could also include Apple’s Smart Connector, which allows the Pro to connect to Apple’s Smart Keyboard without pairing via Bluetooth.

The specifications for this iPad will also closely match that of the iPad Pro. But the new tablet’s camera is expected to more closely resemble that of the iPhone 6s, which means it will also be able to record video in 4K. Apple is also likely to price this updated 9.7-inch iPad similarly to the iPad Air 2.

This Is How Apple Teases All Its Huge Announcements

Apple’s views on privacy

Apple’s event takes place just one day before the company’s court date in its ongoing fight with the Federal Bureau of Investigation over encryption and privacy. There’s a chance that Apple executives could use the event as a platform to make its case once again.