Apple will strive to reignite growth with a must-have holiday line-up as it is expected to spotlight its smartwatch, iPad, and subscription services on Tuesday, reported AFP.

Soaring Apple shares have slipped by more than 7% this week, having a market value of $1.92 trillion based on share price on Friday, down from a record high of $2.3 trillion at the start of this month. 

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Despite the dip, Apple remains the most expensive company on the Wall Street. Amazon comes in second with a market value of $1.56 trillion and Microsoft is third with a value of $1.54 trillion.

The Apple event was teased with a cryptic invitation which read,  “Time Flies.” Although Apple  has remained mum about what it has in store, it is expected to showcase products or services other than iPhones being launched for the year-end shopping season. According to analysts, that opens the potential for updates of Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook computers, services, and even Apple TV set-top boxes.

According to analysts, a new iPad model could include enhanced augmented reality capabilities, and Apple services such as music, news, and television might be offered in an attractively priced subscription bundle. 

Techsponential lead analyst Avi Greengart told AFP, “There is competition in the smartwatch space, but Apple is the sales leader by a large margin and there is room for Apple to build on its lead. Apple has admitted they are at least working on monitoring blood sugar with the watch; it would be enormous if they could pull that off. “

Apple Watch also serves as an anchor to the tech giant’s mobile software, since it syncs with the iPhone. Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights and Strategy told AFP, “The key part for Apple is to keep the base of iPhone users and sell them a ton of accessories like AirPods and get services.”

Analysts told AFP that iPhone 5G, considered vital to the company’s fortunes, will likely star in a separate event later in the year due to disruption in production caused by the pandemic.

Regarding 5G, Greengart said, “Apple absolutely needs 5G right now. Not for the US, but for China where 5G is driving purchase decision.” Moorhead said, “5G is happening in China with or without Apple; in fact more 5G phones than non-5G phones are selling in China. US carriers are waiting for Apple to announce a 5G iPhone to put the pedal to the metal in the US.”