Apple Sets March 8 ‘Peek Performance’ Event

Photo: Laurenz Heymann

By: Nick Gambino

Apple has just officially announced the date for its first event of 2022. The invitations for the virtual March 8th went out on Wednesday and, like most Apple events, there was a slogan that accompanied it. The invite was sent out with the words “Peek Performance.” No, that’s not a typo, it’s “peek” not “peak,” a play on words.

It’s not clear what “Peek Performance” alludes to exactly, but clearly it has to do with hardware operating at its best and we’re going to get a peek at this new wonderful thing. That’s as vague a guess as that invitation reads.

Rumor has it Apple is planning to unveil the next iPhone SE and the new iPad Air. We might also see new Macs. Bloomberg thinks we might also see the next iteration of Apple’s chip – the M2. That would make sense with the whole “Peek Performance” thing.

The iPhone SE is Apple’s cheaper version of the popular smartphone coming in at about $400. It’s also the only way to buy a new iPhone that still has a home button on it. The 8 was the last of the line of flagship iPhones to sport the nostalgic little button. From the X on it’s been all screen on the front of the phone.

There’s probably not a lot that they need to update on the SE, but the new iPhone SE 3 could see some improvements, like 5G support and the A15 Bionic chip.

The iPad Air 5, like the SE 3, should see 5G support and the A15 Bionic chip as well as a boost to its ultra-wide front-facing camera from 7MP to 12MP.

While a new cost-effective phone and updated iPad Air are cool, it’s unlikely that’s all they’re going to unveil at the event. That’s why we’ll probably end up seeing something on the Mac front. There’s a good chance we’ll see an updated Mac mini fitted with the M1 Pro and Max chips or even the M2. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re also planning a MacBook reveal, possibly a lower-end option.

Of course, half of all of what I’ve covered could be wrong. We only have to wait a few days to find out. You can watch the “Peek Performance” event on March 8 at 10 am PT / 1 pm EST. Just go to Apple’s website, their YouTube channel, or fire up the Apple TV app on any Apple device.