Big things are brewing in Apple Park, and we expect to find out what they are this spring. In this article, we explain when Apple is likely to hold a Spring 2023 launch event (assuming it even happens), how to watch it live, and what products to expect with the reveal.
What is Apple’s Spring 2023 event?
It’s one of the three big events in Apple’s annual announcement cycle. We get the iPhone launch in the fall, the big software announcements at WWDC in the summer, and (most years) we get some hardware reveals at a spring event in March or April. Apple executives will take the stage — real or virtual — and brag about some recent successes before revealing what new products are coming soon.
Apple has held many spring events, but they don’t necessarily happen every year. There is no guarantee that there will be one in 2023.
For more details on Apple’s calendar of events, see When is the next Apple event?
Will Apple Host a Spring Event in 2023?
According to sources, Apple is currently planning to do so, but the final decision will depend on the progress the company makes with its AR headset over the next few months. When the Reality Pro device is ready for a March/April reveal, Apple will organize an event to publicize it. If not, we don’t think there are enough significant announcements to warrant an event, and suspect we won’t hear from Apple (in an official, staged capacity, at least) until the summer.
Will the event be live (in person) or virtual?
Likely a live event with a studio audience, but with a high production value video presentation and no presenters on stage. The iPhone launch last September was a personal event, and Apple is very excited about the magic that happens when you walk into a room with someone. (This has caused some unrest among employees who would like more time working from home.) Assuming COVID cases don’t increase in the US until spring, expect another face-to-face meeting.
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When is Apple’s Spring 2023 event happening?
Apple hasn’t released the dates yet, but based on previous years it’s likely to be a Monday or Tuesday in mid to late March. March 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th 2023 are all good bets. Apple sometimes goes earlier in March (including last year) and delays until April 2021, but tends to opt for the second half of March.
Here are the dates of the last seven Apple Spring events.
- 2022: Tuesday, March 8th
- 2021: Tuesday 20 April
- 2020: no event
- 2019: Monday 25 March
- 2018: Tuesday 27 March
- 2017: no event
- 2016: Monday 21 March
- 2015: Monday 9 March
- 2014: no event
- 2013: no event
- 2012: Wednesday March 7th
When does the Spring Event 2023 start?
Apple’s events generally start at 10 a.m. local time (California), and once we have the date we can use it to translate to other time zones. The minor hiccup is that some time zones switch to Daylight Saving Time or Daylight Saving Time in the spring while others don’t, so the schedules would work differently depending on exactly when Apple is holding the event.
This is how it would work in different areas, assuming the event takes place 6th Marchrealistically, the earliest it could take place:
- UK: 6pm (GMT)
- Rest of Europe: 7 p.m. (CET)
- US: 10am (PST), 11am (MST), noon (CST), 1pm (EST)
- Canada: 10am (PST), 11am (MST), noon (CST), 1pm (EST)
- India: 23:30 (IST)
- Singapore and China: next day at 2am
- Japan: next day at 3 a.m. (JST)
- Australia: next day at 02:00 AM (AWST), 04:30 AM (ACDT), 05:00 AM (AEDT)
- New Zealand: next day at 7am (NZDT)
And this is what it would look like April 25th, which is realistically the last thing that could happen. As you can see, Daylight Saving Time has begun for those who observe it.
- UK: 6pm (BST)
- Rest of Europe: 7 p.m. (CEST)
- USA: 10 am (PDT), 11 am (MDT), noon (CDT), 1 pm (EDT)
- Canada: 10 a.m. (PDT), 11 a.m. (MDT), noon (CDT), 1 p.m. (EDT)
- India: 10:30pm (IST)
- Singapore and China: next day at 1am
- Japan: next day at 2 a.m. (JST)
- Australia: next day at 1:00 AM (AWST), 2:30 AM (ACST), 3:00 AM (AEST)
- New Zealand: next day at 5am (NZST)
Apple events typically last between one and two hours.
You can follow the event live in spring 2023
The best way to watch would be to receive an invitation to attend in person, but most of us won’t be so lucky. Luckily, Apple will also be live streaming the presentation for everyone to watch.
The first place to try is Apple’s events page, which currently lets you rewatch old events but will have the live stream on the night. In fact, Apple.com’s main home page should be amply covered during the presentation.
If you have an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac – as long as the device has sufficiently up-to-date software – you can watch the stream in the TV app. PC owners can also watch, but as mentioned above, they’ll need to visit Apple’s website.
After the event is over, it can also be viewed again in the podcast app.
You should be able to follow the announcements live on Apple’s YouTube channel, and the company has occasionally experimented with streaming announcements on its channel Twitter pagealthough we don’t expect it to repeat the strategy this year.
Finally, Apple has held broadcast events at Apple Stores for certain events in the past, so it may be worth contacting your nearest retail outlet to see if they have anything planned.
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What happens at an Apple event?
Like most tech company launch events, it will offer both fluff and substance. Expect some boring bragging at first; this can include issues such as operating system adoption rates, hardware customer reviews, and green manufacturing policies. But Apple wouldn’t be holding an event unless there was something worth listening to, and we should start making proper announcements within 10 minutes or so.
Generally, you can expect multiple separate announcements at an Apple event, but we think the company will be heavily focused on a single product (or ecosystem of products) this year.
What will Apple choose as a slogan?
A little vague to generate as much speculation as possible. Expect a weak pun along those lines. “Spring In Action”, maybe. Or “Let’s be honest.”
What new products will Apple announce this spring?
Apple cleared the decks with two announcements in January, launching new M2-based models of the MacBook Pro and Mac mini, as well as a second-generation HomePod. This gives the company the luxury of dedicating the entire spring event to the main event of the year if they wish.
Apple’s mixed reality headset
Apple’s first foray into the world of dedicated virtual reality (VR) hardware will also offer augmented reality (AR) capabilities, reportedly switching between the two modes by turning an Apple Watch-style Digital Crown.
The headset completely covers the user’s eyes and fits over the head. In VR mode, high-resolution screens close to the face show 3D images, while pass-through cameras allow images to be overlaid on real-world views for AR mode.
According to the latest leaks, the headset will likely be called the Reality Pro and will cost around $3,000; It may only be launched in the US at first.
You can read all currently available information in our Apple AR Headset Superguide.
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New Macs
The headset is the only thing we expect to hear at Apple’s spring event, but it’s possible the company will decide to squeeze in an other item or two. We’re looking at an M2 iMac or iMac Pro sometime this year, although that seems more appropriate for summer’s WWDC. Likewise, Apple still owes us an Apple silicon-based Mac Pro, an M2 Max Mac Studio must be in the pipeline, and there are rumors of a larger MacBook Air, but those too will likely have to wait.
New iPads
The seventh-generation iPad mini is slated for a 2023 release, but will be closer to the fall; The same applies to the alleged 14-inch iPad Pro. But either way, Apple could potentially come up with a surprise.
New Apple TV
Sources say Apple is working on a faster version of the Apple TV as part of its new smart home strategy. Could that be announced this spring? It is possible.
What has Apple introduced at past spring events?
Studying past behavior can help us predict what Apple will do in the future. Here’s what Apple announced at previous spring events.
- 2022 (“Peek Performance”, virtual): New iPhone SE, new iPad Air, Mac Studio and Studio Display, and new iPhone color options
- 2021 (“Spring Loaded”, virtual): New iPad Pro and iMac, Apple TV 4K, AirTags, new iPhone color options and iOS 14.7
- 2020: no event
- 2019 (“It’s show time”): Apple Card and subscription services News+, TV+ and Arcade
- 2018 (“Let’s Take a Field Trip”): New iPad and education announcements
- 2017: no event
- 2016 (“Let’s loop you in”): iPad Pro, iPhone SE and software updates
- 2015 (“Spring Forward”): Apple Watch, a new MacBook and iOS 8.2
- 2014: no event
- 2013: no event
- 2012 (“We’ve got something you really need to see. And touch”): 3rd Gen Apple TV and 3rd Gen iPad
