A Pivotal Week for Apple: New Products and a Major Security Milestone

Apple launches new iPhones, iPads, and Macs in a multi-day event while securing a historic NATO security certification, opening major government and defense markets.

Apple Inc. is entering a critical period marked by significant product launches and a landmark security achievement that could reshape its enterprise business. The company's shares, which have recently rebounded from mid-February lows, face a test of their momentum.

Product Rollout Adopts a New Format

CEO Tim Cook signaled the start of a "big week" via social media, commencing on Monday morning. According to industry reports from 9to5Mac, the tech giant is preparing a staggered series of announcements starting March 2, culminating in press events across New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4.

This multi-day launch strategy, which forgoes a traditional single keynote, represents an unusual approach for Apple. The company is anticipated to unveil at least five new products. The lineup is expected to include the iPhone 17e, succeeding the iPhone 16e, alongside refreshed iPad models. These tablets are set to feature a base model with Apple Intelligence support and an iPad Air powered by the M4 chip. Furthermore, a more affordable MacBook—reportedly equipped with an A-series iPhone chip for the first time—and new Studio Display models, hinted at in macOS 26.3, are also on the agenda.

A Breakthrough in Government and Defense Markets

In a separate but concurrent development on February 26, Apple secured a historic NATO security certification for its iPhone and iPad devices. The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) conducted an extensive review before granting the approval, which allows the devices to process classified information at the NATO-Restricted level.

With this certification, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are now listed in the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue without requiring special software or configurations. No competing consumer mobile device currently holds an equivalent authorization. This milestone grants Apple access to the government and defense procurement channels of all NATO member states, a sector with substantial growth potential as organizations increasingly look to replace costly specialized hardware with commercial solutions.

Manufacturing Moves Stateside

Supporting its broader strategic goals, Apple announced on February 24 plans to shift a portion of its Mac mini production to the United States for the first time. The company will also expand AI server manufacturing at its facility in Houston, Texas, where it is establishing an Advanced Manufacturing Center for employee training.

These moves form part of a $600 billion, four-year investment commitment revealed in January. Apple has already procured over $20 billion worth of U.S.-made chips from partners including Broadcom and Texas Instruments. Future plans involve sourcing more than 100 million advanced chips from TSMC’s fabrication plant in Arizona.

Share Price Stabilizes After Volatility

Apple's stock has shown resilience following a turbulent period. After a 5% single-day drop on February 12—triggered by reports of Siri AI delays and FTC scrutiny of Apple News—the equity stabilized. From its closing price of $255.78 on February 13, shares climbed to $274.23 by February 25, marking an advance of approximately 7.2% over eight trading sessions.

Year-to-date, the stock has traded relatively flat and remains notably below its 52-week high of $288.62 reached in December 2025. The company posted strong results for its first fiscal quarter of 2026, with revenue increasing 16% to $143.8 billion and earnings per share rising 19% to $2.84. For the current quarter, management has provided guidance forecasting growth between 13% and 16%.

The upcoming product announcements from March 2-4 will be closely watched to determine if Apple can bolster its recovery with substantive innovations. While the NATO certification significantly strengthens its enterprise narrative, the breadth of this launch cycle will test the company's ability to build sustained momentum beyond its record-breaking quarterly performance.