iPad Air 3 Release Date, Features & Rumors: Apple Eyeing a March 18 Debut Together With 4-Inch iPhone 5se?

It's highly unusual for Apple to have a short window of time period between the launch of a certain product and its actual sale, not to mention, for the company to forego the pre-order options for the buyers.

But, if reports were true, it seems like the tech giant is headed a different direction.  "Apple is currently on target to start selling its next iPhone and iPad models the same week that the new products are introduced in March," 9to5 Mac sources divulged.

The new 4-inch iPhone 5se and the new iPad Air 3 will be available on sale come March 18, 2016. This will be just three days after the launch event of the devices on Tuesday, March 15. Furthermore, Apple won't be accepting pre-orders for the upcoming devices.

"Launching the new iPhone and iPad models so soon after introduction and not offering pre-orders would be a new strategy for Apple. Apple typically releases new iPhone models one or two weeks following the introduction events and an online pre-order period," the report added.

iPad releases have always been that way, as well. The iPad Pro, for instance, hit the stores after almost a couple of months passed since its launched.

The new iPhone 5se is ideal for those who would want to upgrade to a new phone with better specs, but never really wanting to do without their preferred screen size of 4 inches, as opposed to the bigger flagship devices today--- the 4.7-inch iPhone 6s and 5.5-inch 6s Plus.

The 5se could be equipped with Apple's latest A9 and M9 processors. Other features said to be included are an NFC chip for Apple Pay, support for always-on Siri activation and Live Photos capability, The Verge reported. Rumors also have it that the upcoming 4-inch iPhone will also have an upgrade in the camera department and could have similar technology as that in the iPhone 6.

As for the 5se's colorway, sources say that it could sport the same variety as the current iPhone 6S, which include gold, rose gold, silver and space gray.

The upcoming tablet, on the other hand, is expected to come with a 9.7-inch screen size and could feature an A9 processor technology. There will also be an improvement in the camera system of the iPad Air 3, which may include flash in the primary camera at the back for brighter photos, according to sources.

Other exciting features to watch out for are those upgrades the company will employ on the Smart Keyboards and Apple Pencil, including the Smart Connector and support for Apple-branded accessories, notes 9to5Mac.