- Tim Cook hints at a “big week” in X post
- Apple has already confirmed an event for March 4
- Cook says the news will begin on Monday, March 2
Ahead of Apple’s confirmed event on March 4, 2026 – which has invited media, creators, and guests – CEO Tim Cook has indicated that a “big week” is on the horizon.
Cook elaborated further in a post on X, stating: “It all starts Monday morning!” This suggests that Apple may unveil news over several days leading up to the March 4 event, rather than a single announcement. Apple is expected to showcase its entire new product lineup at the event, with rumors pointing to new iPads, a successor to the iPhone 16e, and several new Macs. This multi-day approach to product reveals is becoming increasingly common as companies seek to maximize media coverage and consumer engagement.
The latter is anticipated to take center stage, potentially with a long-rumored budget MacBook as a key attraction, and the video Cook shared appears to support that theory. Here is Tim Cook’s full post on X.
A big week ahead. It all starts Monday morning! #AppleLaunch pic.twitter.com/PQ9gM2Gl2rFebruary 26, 2026
This isn’t the first time Cook has hinted at upcoming products on X. In 2025, he alluded to both the iPhone 16e and new iPads and MacBooks by saying that something was “in the air.”
This time, rumors are circulating about a new iPad and entry-level iPad Air, a successor to the iPhone 16e, and several new Mac models. The video features a hand interacting with a mold for creating an Apple logo in the same silver color as many Apple products, including Mac machines. The imagery suggests a focus on design and materials, key elements of Apple’s brand identity.
It’s hard not to see the surface as resembling the back of a MacBook Air or Pro lid, or the top of a Mac mini or Mac Studio. The hand movements could also be interpreted as a hint towards gestures, but we don’t believe that’s the main point – at least not yet.
The most talked-about rumor is the launch of a budget MacBook. The long-anticipated model would be a new entry-level option in Apple’s lineup of portable Macs and come at a significantly lower price point. It’s expected to cost around $699, feature a similar design, and hopefully a more colorful chassis. Instead of an M-series chip, it’s expected to use an A-series chip that can still run macOS – and likely perform quite well.
The fact that the press invitations to the March 4 event included Apple logos in multiple colors – yellow, blue, and light green – supports the theory of fun color options for the budget MacBook model. Apple is also expected to use the week to introduce the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
Regarding the iPad, we anticipate an update similar to the one the iPad and entry-level iPad Air received earlier in 2025. This will mean a processor upgrade for both: the iPad Air will get an M4 chip for more performance in the same design, whereas the new base iPad – 12th generation – will get an A18 chip. This should provide better speed compared to the A16 and also support for Apple Intelligence.
Finally, based on reports and timing, we are quite confident that the iPhone 17e will appear next week. This mid-range phone follows the iPhone 16e and is expected to retain the same overall design but be faster thanks to the A19 chip. The same chip powers the iPhone 17 and should deliver high performance, although the variant may be slightly slimmer.
Of course, there’s always a possibility that something more will be presented, and Tim Cook suggests that it will be a big week. Could we see a new generation Studio Display? Or upgrades to the MacBook Air, Mac mini, or Mac Studio? Only time will tell – and We find just a few days left until Monday, March 2, 2026, so stay tuned here on TechRadar for all the latest.
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