Apple has officially set the internet ablaze by announcing a "Special Apple Experience" for March 4th, 2026, with simultaneous physical events in New York, London, and Shanghai. Moving away from the traditional pre-recorded Apple Park keynote, reports suggest a "three-day blitz" of announcements starting March 2nd. The headline act is a rumored low-cost MacBook priced around $599, featuring a 12.9-inch display and vibrant colors like blue, yellow, and pink. Other expected reveals include the iPhone 17e (with an A19 chip and MagSafe), an M4 iPad Air, and the debut of M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros. The event is being seen as a massive pivot toward more accessible hardware, aiming to reclaim the entry-level market from Windows and Chromebooks.

Valkence Hot Placement

• Rank: #8

• Featured: Week starting February 23rd, 2026

• Reasoning: It’s rare to see Apple pivot this hard on pricing, so the "Budget MacBook" rumor alone was enough to dominate the tech cycle. The unusual "hands-on first" event format has also sparked endless speculation about a major design shift.