Apple will not be accepting pre-orders and will instead release the reported iPhone 5se and the iPad Air 3 directly to consumers on March 18, according to 9to5Mac. This is only three short days after its supposed announcement during the Apple March 2016 Event on March 15, and is an unusual move for Apple, who typically releases a new iPhone model two to three weeks after its initial announcement to allow a pre-order period.
9to5Mac’s sources, who so far have had the scoop on everything Apple rumor related in the run-up to the Apple March 2016 Event, did include a disclaimer with the release date information, saying that Apple’s plans are subject to change. If the plans stay as they are currently however, the iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3 will be available for purchase in retail locations and online the same Friday after the March event.
You can expect to see additional partnerships with major fashion brands, similar to Apple’s current partnership with Hermès, and new Apple Watch bands announced at the Apple March 2016 Event as well.
Regarding the iPhone 5se, the 4-inch iPhone will reportedly replace the iPhone 5s at its current price point, but with updated internals to ensure that it stays within two generations of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which assumingly will be released this September 2016. According to 9to5Mac, it will have the same curved glass style as the iPhone 6s and will reportedly have a better processor chip than the one used in the iPhone 6.
The iPad Air 3 on the other hand will supposedly have updated internals as well , and may be able to support iPad Pro only accessories and features such as the Smart Keyboard, Apple Pencil and the iPad Pro’s dynamic speaker system , which automatically adjusts pitch and tenor depending on how it is being held.
