Apple is set to host a virtual event called “Spring Loaded” at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Since the company has historically saved iPhone announcements for September or October events, analysts are mostly focused on iPads.
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives wrote in a note Sunday that Apple (ticker: AAPL) is expected to make changes to its 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. He expects both models to include Apple’s new A14X chip, with the latter, higher-end one also coming with a mini-LED display. Bloomberg reported those iPad plans last month, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Ives wrote that a mini-LED display, “will be a game changer around color performance, dimming capabilities, and high contrast capabilities for the consumer.”
BofA Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan notes that the event is timely, if it is indeed focused on iPads. That segment faces a tough comparison for the second half of the 2021 fiscal year, as work-from-home and at-home education drove double-digit iPad growth in the second half last year.
“iPads face tough comps, and revenues could benefit from the launch of new iPad models,” Mohan wrote.
Ives estimates that about 40% of iPad users have upgraded their iPad device in the past year. He thinks new models could drive pent-up demand for more users to upgrade.
Beyond the iPad rumors, both analysts point to speculation that Apple may introduce a product called AirTags—Bluetooth devices that could be attached to items in order to integrate and track them with Apple’s Find My app.
“While not formal launches, we believe [Tim] Cook & Co. will likely give some hints around the new AirPods 3, which are expected to be launched in a separate virtual launch in the early summer time frame,” Ives added.
Mohan speculated that AirPods 3 could be closer in design to AirPods Pro, just without the noise-canceling capabilities of the higher-end model. He notes that AirPods saw strong sales amid the pandemic.
Other wild cards from Apple Tuesday could include an update to its iOS 14 software, a refreshed Apple TV device, augmented reality features, or Mac related upgrades, according to Mohan.
Apple stock finished Monday up 0.5% to $134.84, in line with the S&P 500 index’s 0.5% decline. Apple shares are up 1.6% year to date, but they’re up more than 100% over the past 12 months.
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