Apple iPhone SE and iPad Pro mini release date: Devices to be launched on March 21
Apple is not ready to reveal the iPhone 7 yet but the Cupertino-based tech firm is more than prepared for the unveiling of the long-rumored 4-inch iPhone and the smaller version of the iPad Pro.
On March 21, Apple is expected to lift the covers off these new products. Users haven't seen a 4-inch iPhone since 2013, when the company released the iPhone 5c, a low-cost, plastic-laden version of the iPhone 5.
Ever since the release of the bigger iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, some users have complained about the flagships being too cumbersome. The grumbles may have finally resulted to a concrete solution – the iPhone SE.
The device, tagged as "special edition," will have the power of the new iPhone in its small package. The device is expected to be powered by the new A9 processor, the same unit the iPhone 6s and 6s have.
The iPhone SE is also rumored to come with an NFC chip that will allow it to support Apple Pay the same way the flagships do. On the imaging side, there's a 12MP rear-facing camera and a 5MP selfie snapper.
Design-wise, expect the 4-inch iPhone to resemble the iPhone 5s. Color options include gold, silver, space grey and rose gold. Fans, however, will have to do without the iPhone 6s clan's Live Photos and 3D Touch features. Meanwhile, a headphone jack will still be intact.
Apple is also ditching the iPad Air 3 and is releasing an iPad Pro mini instead. Fans of the software giant have been waiting for the company to update the iPad Air family. However, it looks like Apple is now focusing on expanding its newly established iPad Pro line.
The "Air" moniker is expected to be retired altogether. Even so, it looks like the purported 9.7-inch iPad Pro will sport the same sleek design the iPad Air family is known for. This good look will be paired with a powerful A9X processor under the hood and increased RAM.
Just like its big brother, the iPad Pro mini is expected to come with a Smart Keyboard and an Apple Pencil. In line with this accessory support, it's also getting the new Smart Connector, which basically allows it to connect to third-party accessories as well.
The iPhone SE and the iPad Pro mini are expected to be unveiled alongside the newly designed Apple Watch bands.
