Apple puts on first in-person event since start of pandemic: Details here

Apple is expected to unveil the 14th series of its iconic and ubiquitous iPhone on Wednesday at its first in-person product launch event since before the coronavirus pandemic began.

Industry watchers also hope to see the new generations of Apple watches, AirPods and other updated versions of its hardware.

In addition to high tech advances, there is likely to be increased attention to prices this year with inflation hovering near four-decade highs.

Even before the pandemic when the economy was booming, people were balking at the substantial price tags for smartphones with upgrades that don't win over owners of recent models.

In April of 2020, just as the pandemic was crushing the US economy, Apple released the second-generation iPhone SE with a price tag as low as USD 399, a 40 per cent markdown from the most affordable iPhone 11 unveiled last year.

Now, with 9 per cent inflation battering Americans' household budgets, analysts wonder if consumers won't wait a little longer to upgr