AppleInsider Staff
Apple is widely expected to unveil both a new 4-inch iPhone and new 9.7-inch iPad at a media event next month, but a new report claims the keynote presentation may have been delayed by a week, until Tuesday, March 22.
Citing an unnamed source, South Korean website UnderKG reported this week that Apple employees have been asked to keep the days around March 22 free, presumably for an upcoming event. If true, that would be seven days later than was previously rumored.
The site in question doesn't have an extensive list of breaking Apple news, but in 2014 it did get its hands on both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus prior to their public release. The new rumor was first discovered by Macotakara.
Production of the next-gen 4-inch iPhone is said to be underway ahead of an anticipated March announcement. The device is said to boast a metal-backed, curved-edge design similar to the current iPhone 6s with refreshed internals like an A9 processor and NFC support for Apple Pay. Rumored names include "iPhone 6c" and "iPhone 5se."
This week, newly leaked schematics suggested the new iPhone model will feature an aesthetic nearly identical to the company's existing high-end iPhones, a design that debuted in 2014 with the iPhone 6.
Also expected at the March event is a revamped 9.7-inch iPad. While reports had previously referred to such a device as an "iPad Air 3," a new rumor published this week alleged that Apple might rebrand it with the iPad Pro moniker found on the 12.9-inch model.
Distinguishing the new 9.7-inch model as professional grade would be the same beefed-up A9X processor, the magnetic Smart Connector, and a four-speaker array.
Apple's anticipated event is also expected to see new bands debut for the wearable Apple Watch. The company also has new MacBooks in the works that could launch at such a media event.
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21 Comments
Perhaps the new products are being announced on March 15 still, and only becoming available on March 22? And perhaps this relates to launch only in South Korea?
I am thinking with all of this FBI stuff, they may have to appear in places. Best to give it an extra week.
How can it be pushed back if it was never announced in the first place?!
I have little doubt that Tim Cook's time and attention has been sucked away by all that's hit the fan in the past week or so.
Sigh, add this to the list of the myriad, death-by-a-thousand cuts ways in which the Washington bureaucrats, politicians, lawyers, and judges kill our competitiveness.
I'd love to think it's being pushed back because the company is seeing string sales so far this quarter and therefore doesn't feel the need of any orders for these new products in the current quarter, but I think damonf has it correct. If employees are being asked to be available (not on leave) on the 22nd, then this still speaks to a week earlier announcement, with in-store availability a week after the announcement, which is usual for Apple's smaller product releases.