Apple Event LIVE: What to expect, rumour breakdown and announcements

Apple's March event has now begun, and we're poised for a flurry of actually-quite-exciting announcements. The word out there is that it's going to be all about affordable Apple, with rumours flying about the iPhone 17e, a low-cost MacBook, iPad and even new a new Studio Display. But with nothing confirmed yet, we'll be right here with all the updates you need.

We were super-excited by the logo's colourful, vibrant design when the event was announced, and remain convinced it promises great things. The main event is on Wednesday March 4, but Tim Cook himself has confirmed that news is going to start tricking out this morning (Monday). The idea of a truly affordable Apple lineup is exciting, but is that really what we'll get?

Let's find out. How to watch Apple's March event Because this is a three-day roll out rather than the traditional one big event, there's no livestream this time (making this live blog even more important). But there may be some announcements popping up on Apple's YouTube channel. Keep checking back here as we let you know the announcements as soon as they happen.

What is Apple going to announce? It's rumoured we'll see iPhone 17e, low-cost MacBook (A18 Pro), MacBook Air M5, MacBook Pro M5, iPad Air M4, iPad 12, Mac Studio Display. But whether all that comes to fruition is yet to be seen. Any 'affordable' angle will be welcome for the majority, but is unlikely to hold much use for serious creative pros.

Refresh The rumoured iPad 12 Apparently, the base-model iPad is getting an upgraded inside. Rumours for the iPad 12 (12th Gen) suggest that Apple is ditching the aging A16 chip for the A18 (or potentially the A19), a massive leap that finally brings Apple Intelligence to the entry-level lineup.

Design-wise, don't expect a revolution – it's likely to stick with the reliable 11-inch Liquid Retina display and the landscape selfie cam. However, the real story is the rumoured upgrade to 8GB of RAM, a necessary move to handle the upcoming Siri 2.0 and on-device AI tools. While we might still be looking at a 60Hz screen and non-laminated glass to keep costs down, the inclusion of the N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 means this budget tablet is built for the future.

Rumours at a glance: Price: Holding the line at a very reasonable $349. Processor: A18 or A19 chip with 8GB RAM. Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support. AI: Full support for Writing Tools and Image Wand. The expected MacBook A18 Pro This is one of the most exciting rumours for the majority, including creators and students.

An ultra-affordable MacBook powered by the A18 Pro – the powerhouse found in the iPhone 16 Pro – rather than M-series chip. For the budget-conscious student, an on-the-move freelancer or a content creator, this could be a game-changer. Leaks suggest a portable 12.9-inch design that ditches the classic Silver and Space Gray for a more vibrant palette of yellow, blue, and green (this kind of design is what we hoped the logo was pointing to).

While the model might lose Thunderbolt support and a backlit keyboard to hit the rumoured $599 price point, the A18 Pro’s NPU is more than capable of handling Apple Intelligence tasks. If the 'Special Experience' events or preceding announcements deliver this "iPhone-in-a-laptop," it could be the most disruptive Mac since the original Air.

Rumours at a glance: Processor: iPhone A18 Pro chip. Price: Between $599 – $699. Design: 12.9-inch LCD in playful new colours. Trade-offs: No Thunderbolt; potential 8GB RAM ceiling. All about the rumoured iPhone 17e The latest iPhone 17e rumours describe a device that finally delivers stunning design alongside a much lower price tag.