Apple Inc. added 5G connection to the lower-priced iPhone SE and iPad Air as well as a speedier CPU for a new desktop, marking a turning point in the company’s push to power its gadgets with microprocessors created in-house.

With the new M1 Ultra CPU, the starting price of the new Studio desktop is at $3,999. 

Apple’s M1 processor, which has beeen designed for laptops, was also used in the iPad Air.

“Apple Silicon strategy is the key highlight,” said analyst Neil Shah of Counterpoint Research.

“Apple is scaling the portfolio of its in-house semiconductor capabilities to power a broader set of richer devices from affordable iPhone SE to the most powerful product Mac Studio,” Shah added.

Intel Corporation microprocessors are still used in Apple’s Mac Pro.

Apple increased the price of the iPhone SE to $429 from $399, which was the previous model’s MSRP. The new phone will be available for purchase on March 18th.

The iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch retina display, an A15 Bionic CPU that Apple claims are the quickest among competitors, and a home button with touch ID.

“This is important for our existing users who want a smaller iPhone at a great value,” Chief Executive Tim Cook said.

According to Nabila Popal, an analyst at IDC, the new iPhone SE will appeal to consumers searching for a low-cost 5G gadget, and given the economic instability generated by the Russia-Ukraine crisis, it might be especially popular.

“A cheaper iPhone with 5G is good news for Apple, especially in these times of uncertainty,” Popal said.

However, desire for bigger displays might hurt iPhone SE sales, according to Popal. Some customers may choose earlier iPhone models with larger displays that are in the same price range.

The M1 Ultra is eight times quicker than M1 chips and is built by linking two M1 Max chips. Its initial application will be in the Mac Studio PC for creative professionals.

The Mac Studio will be available in two models, one with the M1 Max processor and the other with the M1 Ultra chip.

Pricing for the Mac Studio starts at $1,999 for the M1 Max version and $3,999 for the M1 Ultra version.

Apple also introduced a new display dubbed Studio Display, which costs $1,599 and can be used with any Mac, including Macbook Air and Macbook Pro models.

In mid-afternoon trading, Apple shares were essentially unchanged for the day.

Apple TV+ will begin airing Major League Baseball games on Friday evenings, according to the firm, which has been expanding its services and other goods. In eight nations, the weekly doubleheader will be offered.

The new iPad Air features a redesigned design, 5G connectivity, and the M1 processor used in MacBooks for the first time in two years. It will be available starting March 18 with a starting price of $599.

A 12-megapixel front camera is also included with the new iPad Air.

Apple also unveiled two new iPhone 13 models, including one in alpine green.

Cook made no mention of the Ukraine war throughout his talk. In reaction to the Russian invasion, Apple said on March 1 that it has halted all product sales in Russia. Outside of Russia, the Russian official media outlets RT News and Sputnik News are no longer accessible for download via the Apple Store. find out more

Russia’s efforts in Ukraine are referred to as a “special operation.”

(Adapted from Reuters.com)