New iPhone? New iPad? More? What we expect to see at Apple’s March 21 event

Daniel Howley
·Technology Editor
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On Monday, Apple will host an event at its global headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. And as with all things Apple, the show is shrouded in mystery.

But just because Apple hasn’t given us any hints as to what it will unveil to the world doesn’t mean the Internet rumor mill hasn’t already worked itself into a frothing frenzy about what we can expect see. Here’s what we think will really happen.

A smaller iPhone

Big things come in small packages, and it sounds like that will apply to Apple’s next iPhone. Rumors indicate that the handset, which 9to5Mac says will be called the iPhone SE, will sport a relatively tiny 4-inch display.

According to CNET, the iPhone SE will replace the now woefully outdated iPhone 5s as the smallest of Apple’s current handsets.

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Inside, the SE is expected to include the same A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s, Bloomberg reports. That would make the more diminutive iPhone just as powerful as its larger siblings.

Unlike the iPhone 6s, though, the SE won’t come with a special 3D Touch-capable display, according to AppleInsider. So you won’t be able to press down on your phone’s screen to pull up any extra menu options.

The iPhone SE is also expected to get an upgraded 8-megapixel camera, as well as an NFC chip for Apple Pay support, 9to5Mac says. Apple Pay support means that the handset would also include Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint reader.

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So how much will the iPhone SE cost? On that question, the rumor mill is divided. Some folks believe the handset will be a low-cost option meant to replace the iPhone 5s at the back end of Apple’s product line; others predict the iPhone SE will simply be a smaller version of the iPhone 6s for those who prefer a slighter handset. As such, the SE could cost about as much as the 6s (which starts at around $650).

A petite iPad Pro

Apple’s iPad Pro is massive. With a 12.9-inch display, it’s the largest iPad the company offers. And while that kind of real estate might be great for some, for others it’s just a bit too much.

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To that end, Apple will reportedly unveil a smaller, 9.7-inch iPad Pro on Monday. That would make the new iPad Pro the same size as the iPad Air 2.

According to 9to5Mac, the smaller iPad Pro will include the same hardware as its big brother, including Apple’s high-powered A9x processor, a special display that’s compatible with the Apple Pencil, and an appropriately-sized Smart Keyboard cover.

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There isn’t much word on how much the iPad Pro 9.7-inch will cost, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume it would be priced higher than the standard iPad Air 2 (which starts at $500 for the 16 GB model).

Apple Watch updates?

While there’s pretty good consensus that we’ll see new iPhones and iPads, talk about a new Apple Watch is a bit more scattered. Some outlets, such as DigitalTrends, point to a possible Apple Watch S variant, with some slight upgrades, and a proper Apple Watch 2 coming later this year.

CNET, on the other hand, says that the Apple Watch will be a total no-show at the event.

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Others, like Mashable, are of the mind that Apple will have its wearable on hand, but only to show off some new bands and perhaps partnerships with fashion companies.

There is the possibility that we’ll see an update to Apple’s Watch OS, but we think the chances are pretty slim.

How to follow along

If you want to follow the brouhaha, you can stream the show from Apple’s website beginning at 10 a.m. PT on March 21. And we’ll be there, video crew in tow, to get our hands on whatever Apple announces. So be sure to check Yahoo Tech on Monday to get the actual news as well as first impressions of the new stuff.

Email Daniel at dhowley@yahoo-inc.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.