iPad Air 3 and iPhone 5se likely to go on sale March 18th

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Don't call it the '5se'.
The iPhone 5se won't be available for pre-order.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Once Apple finally unveils its new iPad and 4-inch iPhone, it won’t take long before Apple fans are able to get their fingers all over the two new iOS devices.

Both the iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3 will be available the same week they are introduced to the public, according to a new report that claims Apple Stores will have the new devices in stock by March 18th, but there won’t be any pre-orders.

“Apple is currently planning to introduce a new 4-inch iPhone dubbed the ‘iPhone 5se’ and a new iPad Air at an event on Tuesday, March 15th, then put the products up for sale online and in retail stores as early as Friday, March 18th,” reports 9to5Mac. “Apple is unlikely to offer pre-orders for the new devices, according to sources who cautioned that the plans could still change.”

Pre-orders are usually offered on every iPhone Apple has launched. Doing away with them for the iPhone 5se launch would mark a sudden change in strategy, but it could increase foot traffic to stores on launch day. Manufacturing supposedly ramped up in January for the new 4-inch iPhone that is expected to come in the same form factor as the iPhone 5s with most of the internals of an iPhone 6.

The rumored March 15th Apple event is also expected to include some new bands for the Apple Watch, along with the iPad Air 3. Apple’s rumored to be adding a Smart Connector to the new iPad, plus improved cameras, a rear flash, four-speaker audio, and possibly support for the Apple Pencil.

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