5 Key Announcements From the Apple Peek Performance Event

On March 8, Apple held its first spring presentation – the Peek Performance event – in a traditional all-online format, and announced a bunch of new products and updates. The presentation was streamed on Apple's website, YouTube channel, and the Apple TV app.

1. New iPhone SE

As expected, Apple has updated its budget-friendly iPhone SE model. The third-generation iPhone SE boasts 5G networks support, as well as a faster updated Apple A15 Bionic processor that was introduced in the iPhone 13. Keeping the same design as its predecessor, the smartphone features a 4.7-inch display, aerospace-grade aluminum, and the toughest glass in a smartphone, which is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance.

The smartphone is available in three colors, including Midnight, Starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED. The iPhone SE has been available for pre-order since March 11, with general availability beginning March 18. The pricing starts at $439.

2. New iPad Air

Although the new iPad Air retains the form factor of its predecessor, it has received a significant upgrade – it now features an Apple M1 chip (like the iPad Pro) and supports 5G networks. The tablet's performance has increased by 60%, and the graphics performance has doubled. The body is made of recycled aluminum.

The new ultra-wide 12MP front camera includes the Center Stage feature, which automatically detects movement and adjusts to keep users in the frame as they move. The 12 MP Wide back camera captures crisp photos and 4K video.

The USB-C port is twice as fast as the previous generation, allowing users to transfer data twice as fast, as well as to connect to external storage devices and displays.

The updated iPad Air has been available for pre-order since March 11, and shipping begins on March 18. The price starts at $549.

3. Mac Studio and Mac Studio Display

Apple has also added a new model to its Mac lineup, the all-new Mac Studio. Designed for power users, the Mac Studio is a compact desktop computer aimed at creative professionals.

The Mac Studio measures 7.7 inches square and stands 3.7 inches tall, making it ideal for placing under most displays. It is equipped with the M1 Max or the new 20-core M1 Ultra processor and an impressive thermal system that keeps the device cool and quiet even during heavy workloads.

On the back of the Mac Studio, users have access to four Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, a 10-gigabit Ethernet port, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and an audio jack. On the front, users get two USB-C ports and an SD slot.

The Mac Studio is available in two basic configurations. The price of the M1 Max Mac Studio starts from $1,999, and the M1 Ultra Mac Studio starts at $3,999. The shipping starts on March 18.

The Studio Display is a 27-inch 5K Retina display with TrueTone support that features an ultra-wide 12MP camera, a six-speaker audio system with the support for spatial audio, as well as a three-mic array. The new display has three USB-C ports and one Thunderbolt port.

The Studio Display will cost $1,599 and will go on sale on March 18.

4. M1 Ultra Processor

The updated chip features a custom-built architecture and 20 cores, 16 of which are high-performance ones. It joins the rest of the M1 lineup, including the M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max.

The new M1 Ultra chip is basically two M1 Max chips bridged together, supporting up to 128GB of RAM and being eight times faster than the standard M1 chip.

The M1 Ultra will be available in the new Mac Studio.

5. iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro in Alpine Green

Apple also decided to update its flagship iPhone model with a new colorway. Thus, the iPhone 13 lineup now has a Green color option, while the Pro models will come in an Alpine Green color. There were no changes to the hardware of the smartphone lineup.

The new smartphones with these colors will go on sale on March 18. The pre-orders opened on March 11. The price will be the same as for the rest of the iPhone 13 lineup.