It’s a rumor, but there’s a target that Apple’s apparently hit and it’s thought that the 4-inch iPhone (also known as the “iPhone 5se”) and a new iPad Air could surface at an event on Tuesday, March 15th, with the products up for sale online and in retail stores as early as Friday, March 18th, according to sources. Apple is unlikely to offer pre-orders for the new devices, according to sources who stated that the plans could still change.
This pattern of an introduction and a launch so soon afterwards while not offering pre-orders could be a new strategy for Apple. In the past, Apple has released new iPhone models one or two weeks following the introduction events and an online pre-order period. A similar strategy has been followed for many new iPad releases, but the iPad Pro hardware actually went on sale over two months following the device’s initial introduction. Manufacturing of the new 4-inch iPhone began ramping up in January, sources say.
The iPhone 5se is thought to be a go-between handset for customers who wants faster hardware within a smaller screen. While the iPhone 5se’s body will be nearly identical to the 2013 iPhone 5s, the new smartphone is said to include Apple’s latest A9 and M9 processors, an NFC chip for Apple Pay, support for always-on Siri activation, the iPhone 6’s camera system, and the ability to take Live Photos. The device will come in the same colors as the 6s, according to sources: gold, rose gold, silver, and space gray.
The iPad Air 3 is rumored to include a Smart Connector that can support accessories like the Smart Keyboard and the Apple Pencil. The device is also expected to include a variant of the A9 processor, an upgraded camera system, and potentially a rear flash for brighter photos. At its March 15th event, Apple is also planning to unveil a series of new Apple Watch Sport Band colors, a Space Black Milanese Loop, and NATO-style nylon bands.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via 9to5Mac